The runaway teens from Silicon Valley were driving through the Rocky Mountains on Tuesday, apparently headed to Aspen with little money in the 2005 Honda Civic the boy stole from his grandfather.
Roslyn Marshall, 13, of Saratoga and James Palmerson, 14, of Los Altos were photographed trying to withdraw money at an ATM machine in Grand Junction, Colo., at 11:40 p.m. Monday, Los Altos Police Sgt. John Korges said.
“We’re narrowing our search at this time,” Korges said. “We have contacted authorities in Grand Junction and Aspen, as well as the Colorado State Police.”
Based on cell phone information and financial records, the teenagers apparently were headed to Aspen “but we don’t know why,” Korges said.
“I’d expect them to be out of gas and hungry,” said Steven Marshall, Roslyn’s father. “At any given time, Roslyn might have three bucks on her.”
Before leaving with Roslyn early Sunday morning, James apparently stole his grandfather’s wallet and his car, but the grandfather later cancelled the credit cards. The young couple was believed to be traveling with only about $100 in cash.
Based on what they are wearing in the ATM photo, the young couple does not appear to have packed for severe weather.
The temperature in Aspen was expected to drop to 5 degrees below zero on Tuesday night and climb to only 20 degrees Wednesday. Three to five inches of new snow was expected after midnight Tuesday, four to eight more inches by Wednesday night.
“This has broadsided me that Roslyn would feel empowered enough to do something like this,” said Marshall, a dentist who has tried to keep working while fielding calls from detectives and well wishers. “Anybody who’s a parent understands.”
Marshall said he had never been to Grand Junction but hopes to go there very soon – to pick up his daughter.
Roslyn and James had never officially been on a date, her father said, because her parents felt she was too young to go out with a boy alone. The teens only met at a dance three weeks ago, but a photo posted on Roslyn’s Facebook page shows the words, “I love James” scribbled on her right hand in magic marker.
Korges said police have tried to track down the teens through James’ Verizon cell phone service, but the cell phone is turned off, which means it can’t be located.
“Detectives went to Roslyn’s school today to talk to students at Pinewood,” her father said. “It’s amazing how cooperative the kids are. They all recognize this is not a good thing.”
Korges, the detective on the case, and Marshall, the worried father, said they won’t rest easy until both teens are back safely home.
“We love her to death and we want her to come home,” Marshall said.
James is described as 5-foot-9 inches tall, weighing 150 pounds, with black hair and green eyes. Roslyn is 5-foot-6 inches tall, 130 pounds, with brown hair and eyes.
Anyone with information about Roslyn and James or their location is asked to call the Los Altos Police Department at (650) 947-2770 or Sgt. Mark Tarabini of the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department Investigation Division at (408) 808-4500. Tips also may be made anonymously to the Anonymous Tip Line at (408) 808-4431.
