Fifteen-year-old Elizabeth Joseph of North Valley Stream was reported missing after she failed to return home the same day she had been dropped off at Valley Stream Central High School on a Saturday. She is described as 5 feet 6 inches tall, about 100 pounds, with long black hair, brown eyes, and piercings in her belly button and nostrils. Authorities initially did not have a description of the clothing she was wearing when last seen, complicating early search efforts.

Police considered several possibilities, including that she may have run away, been lured away, or been the victim of foul play, and investigators focused on the North Valley Stream area with some reports mentioning a possible destination of Brooklyn. After more than a month of concern, Nassau County police announced that Elizabeth had been located; officials did not release details about where she was found or what occurred during her absence.