On January 15, 2026, the Port Orchard Police Department notified Dateline that 15-year-old Ashlynn Hanley, who vanished in December 2025, from Port Orchard, Washington, has been located.
Dateline reported on Ashlynn’s story earlier this week for our digital ‘Missing in America’ series.
“With law enforcement’s support, she was reunited with her mother on January 14th at 8:38 PM,” the department’s press release stated. The reunification occurred just over a month after Ashlynn had last been seen in the parking lot of the Hi Joy bowling alley in Port Orchard, Washington, on December 10. On security footage, she was spotted getting into a black 2011 Buick Enclave, which authorities determined belonged to a 45-year-old man.
The release also stated the investigation into Ashlynn’s disappearance and the surrounding circumstances is ongoing, and that they are withholding additional details to “protect the integrity of the case.”
Ashlynn’s mother, Jade Hanley, posted about her daughter's return home on TikTok. “I want to enlighten everyone that I did get to see my daughter last night,” Jade said in the video. “She seemed happy, she got away from that guy. And it was so nice to give her a hug, give her a kiss on the cheek, give her some words of wisdom, and let her know that I love her and I miss her.”
Jade said they reunited in Tacoma, but noted that Ashlynn has not returned home to live with her. “I did see her, and she’s safe. When I saw her last night, she was smiling. But she’s not at home.”
In their press release, the Port Orchard Police Department shared a note of gratitude for the community, media, and law enforcement partners who helped locate Ashlynn. If you have any additional information that may assist the ongoing investigation, you can contact the Port Orchard Police Department at 360-876-1700 or via email at [email protected].
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