Nesquehoning police continue to investigate the disappearance of a teenage girl and have issued an arrest warrant for her stepmother, who allegedly dropped her off in Philadelphia.

According to a borough police press release, authorities are searching for Gianna Kent, 17, who was reported missing by her father.

Police said the father told officers that on March 26, the girl’s stepmother, 34-year-old Elizabeth Kent, was supposed to take Gianna to school, but she never arrived. He later learned the two had stayed at a hotel instead.

Concerned for his daughter’s well-being, he contacted Children and Youth Services.

Officials confirmed they had been in contact with Elizabeth Kent, who said she was in Allentown and would return Gianna home, but failed to do so.

Police again attempted to contact both Elizabeth and Gianna, but calls went straight to voicemail. A missing person report was filed, and a statewide alert was issued over the weekend.

At 11 p.m. March 29, police reached Elizabeth Kent, who admitted taking Gianna to Philadelphia and leaving her with an unidentified Black male who was reportedly driving a silver 2005 Chevrolet Impala.

Nesquehoning police, the Philadelphia Police Department and the Glenolden Police Department are coordinating efforts to locate the juvenile.

Police said Elizabeth Kent’s cellphone was later found in Gianna’s possession. A cellular ping showed she had been in multiple locations throughout the Philadelphia area, but officers were unable to make contact.

An arrest warrant was issued for Elizabeth Kent through the Nesquehoning Police Department, and she has been taken into custody in Delaware County. She faces charges of interference with custody of a child, a third-degree felony, and endangering the welfare of children, a misdemeanor.

Elizabeth Kent is free on $25,000 unsecured bail after she was arraigned Monday afternoon before District Judge Beth Dodson in Lansford.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to search for Gianna Kent.

On Wednesday afternoon, Nesquehoning Police Chief Bradley Hess reported that the vehicle in question has been recovered and is no longer affiliated with the incident.

Anyone with information is urged to call 911, Nesquehoning police or local law enforcement.