Candlelight vigil held for missing teen

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Family and friends lit candles at Travis Road Baptist Church Monday night as a sign of unity in prayer asking God to bring Brittney Wood home.

 The family said the last they heard, Brittney was going to visit her uncle near the Styx River area. When she didn't show up, the family became worried.

KlaasKIDS foundation is helping the family look for Brittney. They will visit various residences Brittney could have visited in the last six months. The family said they have not heard any new information and are asking for help from the public.  

“I would just like anybody out there with any information about Brittney, anything, no matter how small they might think it is, to please get in touch with the Klaas foundation or police,” said Wood’s father, Wallace Hanke.

He says his emotions are raw right now.

“It’s hard to explain multiple emotions sadness, worry, I can’t explain it. We haven’t heard anything from anywhere and we need somebody out there that knows something no matter how minor it is,” Hanke said.

Wood’s mother said she was very close to her daughter but is getting through the pain with the help of family and friends.

“I’m hurting. I just want my baby to come home. Please, if anybody knows where Brittney is, please let me know. Knowing something is better than nothing,” said Wood’s mother, Chessie Wood.

Wood has a two year old daughter named Payton who family members say needs her mother.

“She is a loving mama and she loves her baby.  She (Brittney) has brothers and sisters that she loves. We were really close,” Wood said.

The KlaasKIDS search team will begin looking for Brittney with K9 units starting in Pensacola on Wednesday.

Contact the Mobile Police Department 251-208-7211 or KlassKIDS at 855-733-5567 with any information.