Plymouth residents shocked by disappearance of Mercedes Lain

 

Plymouth, IN. – The search for the missing 11-month-old from Plymouth, Mercedes Lain, continued, though Plymouth Police and the FBI have no updates regarding her whereabouts.

The residents of Plymouth are shocked by her disappearance, and hope for her safe return.

“Me and my mom were talking about it this morning,” said Sadie Buchanan. “We were devastated.”

The 11-month-old was last seen early Saturday morning in Mishawaka, after investigators say her parents – Tiffany Coburn and Kenny Lain – handed her over to a babysitter named Justin Miller late last week.

Miller allegedly never returned Mercedes.

On Sunday, Kenny Lain filed a missing person’s report.

Miller, Lain and Coburn are all in police custody – and police said their stories are not adding up.

With every hour passed, community members in Plymouth grow more worried by the unknowns in the case.

Sadie Buchanan says “As being a parent, it puts a pit in my stomach and I couldn’t imagine my child missing like that.”

“It’s a helpless feeling,” said Michelle Livinghouse. “Because you want to be able to help somehow, and I feel like the best way we can help is to pull together as a community right now and do everything we can to make sure our children are protected.”

Authorities have been working tirelessly to find Mercedes – searching Marshall, Starke and St. Joseph Counties, as well as the city of Mishawaka, where she was seen last.

Even with the uncertainty, everyone is hopeful for a happy outcome.

Buchanan said “Obviously I hope they find her safe and healthy. I heard that she might be in harm, and that devastates me, knowing that she is probably not safe.”

“I hope that that beautiful child is found safely,” says Livinghouse. “and that we make sure that she has the services she needs and that she is cared for and that every child in this community is cared for.”

According to Plymouth Police Chief Dave Bacon – as well as the FBI – there are currently no new updates with the case, except that the search for Mercedes Lain is still ongoing.