In the quiet town of Ranlo, North Carolina, a family’s world has been upended by the sudden disappearance of 17-year-old Chloe Michelle Whitener, a bright and beloved teenager whose absence has sparked a massive community effort to bring her home. The fear and uncertainty gripping her family have rippled through Gaston County, where authorities, volunteers, and neighbors have united in a relentless search to find her. As the hours stretch into days, the urgency to locate Chloe grows, fueled by an Amber Alert issued on April 29, 2025, and a collective hope that she will be found safe.
Chloe was last seen at a home in the 300 block of Lewis Road in Ranlo, a small community just west of Charlotte. According to her family, she was at the residence on the evening of April 28, 2025, but by 9:00 a.m. the next morning, she was gone. The circumstances of her departure remain unclear, leaving her loved ones and investigators grappling with more questions than answers. Her family reported her missing immediately, prompting the Ranlo Police Department to launch an intensive investigation. The issuance of an Amber Alert underscored the gravity of the situation, signaling that authorities believe Chloe may be in danger.
Described as 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighing approximately 100 pounds, Chloe has brown hair and brown eyes. When last seen, she was wearing black pants, a black hooded sweatshirt, and white Nike sneakers. Her slight frame and distinctive attire have become focal points for the search teams combing the area and for residents scanning their neighborhoods for any sign of her. The image of Chloe, a quiet yet spirited teenager with a kind heart, has been shared widely across social media, with hashtags like #FindChloeWhitener and #AmberAlertNC amplifying the call for help.
The search for Chloe has grown into a remarkable display of regional cooperation. Since Tuesday morning, the Ranlo Police Department has been joined by multiple agencies, including the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office, Gastonia Police Department, Gaston Emergency Medical Services, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Teams from Lincoln County and the Lowell Police and Fire Departments have also lent their resources. Drones have been deployed to survey the wooded areas and open fields around Ranlo, while K-9 units have scoured the ground for any trace of Chloe’s scent. Foot patrols have expanded the search radius, moving beyond Lewis Road into surrounding neighborhoods and rural pockets.
The community response has been equally heartfelt. Volunteers have taken to the streets, distributing flyers with Chloe’s photo and description, while others have turned to social media to spread the word. Local businesses have posted notices, and residents have been urged to review security camera footage from Monday night through Tuesday morning for any glimpse of the teenager. The collective effort reflects a shared determination to reunite Chloe with her family, who have been vocal about their anguish and their hope for her safe return. “We just want her home,” a family member said in a statement to local media. “Chloe, we love you, and we’re doing everything we can to find you.”
Authorities have emphasized the importance of public vigilance in the search. Even the smallest detail—a fleeting sighting, an unusual sound, or a piece of clothing—could prove pivotal. The Ranlo Police Department has provided a dedicated non-emergency line, (704) 866-3320, for tips, and anonymous reports can be submitted through North Carolina Crime Stoppers or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Investigators are also exploring all possible leads, from Chloe’s recent activities to any connections that might shed light on her whereabouts.
As the search continues, the Ranlo community remains on edge, balancing fear with resolve. The Amber Alert, a tool reserved for the most serious cases of missing children, has heightened the sense of urgency. North Carolina’s Amber Alert system, established in 2003, relies on rapid dissemination of information through radio, television, highway signs, and cell phones to mobilize the public. In Chloe’s case, the alert has galvanized not just Gaston County but the entire state, with media outlets and online platforms amplifying the call to action.
For Chloe’s family, the waiting is unbearable. They describe her as a teenager with dreams and a quiet strength, someone who lights up their lives. Her sudden disappearance has left a void, but it has also revealed the power of a community coming together in a time of crisis. As the search presses on, the hope remains that Chloe Michelle Whitener will be found and brought home, where she belongs. Until then, the people of Ranlo and beyond are urged to stay alert, share information, and keep Chloe’s name in their hearts.