Authorities search for missing Flathead Valley teen

Authorities are searching for a Flathead Valley teenager who went missing early Monday. They no longer believe the teen's mother was involved in her disappearance.

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office initially issued an Amber Alert for 14-year-old Rhiannon McGuire, alleging she had been abducted by her mother, 41-year-old Michelle Renee Ferguson, who does not have legal custody rights over her daughter.

The sheriff's office described Ferguson's vehicle and said the pair may have been headed toward Missoula, suggesting McGuire was in life-threatening danger.

Later Monday, shortly after 2 p.m., the sheriff's office rescinded the Amber Alert and said Ferguson no longer was a suspect — but McGuire was still missing.

"Michelle Ferguson, Rhiannon's non-custodial mother, has been in contact with law enforcement and is not involved in Rhiannon McGuire's disappearance," the sheriff's office said. "Michelle Ferguson and her vehicle are no longer of interest."

The sheriff's office said anyone with information about McGuire's whereabouts should call 406-758-5610.

She was described as white, 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 85 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Her hair is short on one side.

Though authorities no longer believe she was involved in Monday's incident, Ferguson previously was charged with taking McGuire in 2018.

According to court documents, Ferguson initially agreed to plead guilty to felony custodial interference in exchange for a three-year deferred sentence in November 2019 before the case against her was dismissed.