Volunteers Search New Area for Missing Calallen Teen After 22 Days

Bayleigh Reese, 16, was last seen leaving her family's home in Calallen more than three weeks ago.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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More than three weeks after 16-year-old Bayleigh Reese went missing, volunteers searched a new area near River Hills Baptist Church in Calallen, Texas on Saturday. Reese was last seen leaving her family's home in Calallen, and her grandparents say she suffers from severe mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress from a previous kidnapping.

Why it matters

The search for Bayleigh Reese has been ongoing for over three weeks, raising concerns about her wellbeing and safety. The case highlights the challenges of finding missing persons, especially those with mental health conditions, and the importance of community support and awareness in these situations.

The details

About three dozen volunteers led by the nonprofit South Texas Search and Rescue gathered near River Hills Baptist Church to search a new area connected to Reese's last known locations. Reese's grandmother, Debbie Wishard, made an emotional plea for her to come home, while the family expressed faith that she is still in the Coastal Bend area. The volunteers searched brush on the Wishards' ranch in Calallen and across roughly nine acres near the church.

  • Bayleigh Reese was last seen leaving her family's home in Calallen more than 22 days ago.
  • The search effort took place on Saturday, February 8, 2026.

The players

Bayleigh Reese

A 16-year-old girl who went missing from her family's home in Calallen, Texas more than three weeks ago.

Debbie Wishard

Bayleigh Reese's grandmother, who made an emotional plea for her to come home.

David Wishard

Bayleigh Reese's grandfather, who expressed belief that she is still in the Coastal Bend area.

Amy Canchola

A representative from the South Texas Search and Rescue nonprofit, who led the search effort and urged the public to notify authorities if they believe they have seen Reese.

South Texas Search and Rescue

A nonprofit organization that led the search effort for Bayleigh Reese.

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What they’re saying

“We love you Bailey. Grandma needs to hug you. I need to love you, I need to fix your hair, baby please come home.”

— Debbie Wishard, Bayleigh Reese's grandmother (kiiitv.com)

“We have all the faith, our Lord is so good. He would not — it's all for His will. We will accept and understand whatever the outcome is.”

— Debbie Wishard, Bayleigh Reese's grandmother (kiiitv.com)

“We believe that she's still in the Coastal Bend area. We don't have any information that would lead us to believe she's moved from this area.”

— David Wishard, Bayleigh Reese's grandfather (kiiitv.com)

“If you can snap a picture, that gives us more concrete evidence that she's in those locations. We will get there as soon as we can. It can be within five minutes, 10 minutes, but we'll get there. And if you can just keep an eye on her — if you do see her — don't approach her. Don't try to engage with her.”

— Amy Canchola, Representative, South Texas Search and Rescue (kiiitv.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges of finding missing persons, especially those with mental health conditions, and the importance of community support and awareness in these situations. The ongoing search for Bayleigh Reese underscores the need for continued vigilance and cooperation from the public to help locate her safely.