THE desperate hunt for a missing mom continues after her car was found with her keys still left in the ignition.
Heather Caras, 39, left her house to start her car on a cold January morning and hasn’t been seen since.
Caras, also recognized as Heather Wagoner, bid farewell to her two teenagers before departing her residence in Linton, North Dakota, approximately 60 miles southeast of Bismarck, on January 24.
She then drove the family’s gold Chevy pickup truck “in an unknown direction and destination,” according to the Emmons County Sheriff’s Office.
The next day, her car was found abandoned with the keys in the ignition.
Cops immediately searched the area on foot, using an ATV and an aerial drone but had no success.
“Information indicates she left her home willingly,” ECSO said.
ECSO hasn’t returned The U.S. Sun’s request for an update.
Cops said they think Caras might have reached out to someone who lives outside of North Dakota to help her leave the area.
Caras might have taken steps to avoid being located, the sheriff’s office said.
Officials have initiated a nationwide attempt to find her and are taking care of her kids.
‘WORRIED SICK’
The mom’s loved ones are calling for her return on social media as the search continues.
“Please come home!” One of her friends begged on Facebook.
“You are loved, you are missed, and all your people are worried sick!
“Everyone keep her covered in prayer, she’s one of my oldest friends and we are all worried about her!”
Another wrote, “This isn’t like Heather to just up and leave her boys behind. None of her family or friends live in North Dakota.
Timeline of disappearance
Heather Caras has been missing for over a week.
The mom-of-two was last seen on Friday, January 24.
11 am on January 24 – Caras leaves her kids at her home in Linton, North Dakota, and drives off in her gold Chevy pickup truck
January 24 – Caras is reported missing
January 25 – Caras’ truck is found abandoned west of Linton in Beaver Bay with the keys in the ignition
“We are piecing together stuff by sharing all of our most recent messages with her.
“Please help us find Heather Caras we are all worried about her.”
Caras’ aunt, Deena McLellan shared that the mom has connections in Utah, Colorado, Nevada, North Carolina, as well as in North Dakota.
“She could be anywhere,” the worried aunt said.
Caras stands at five-foot-four and has brown hair and blue eyes.
No foul play or suspicious circumstances are expected in her disappearance at this time.
