CRUCIAL UPDATE: AMBER IS HOME. The police located her an hour ago. (ETA 1:55am CT on 5/6/2012)  More in the morning. Eternal blessings on everyone who searched and helped us, it absolutely got her home.

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The story below was the start of a hunt for a teenage girl who vanished without a trace.  She was found ALIVE and has been returned home.  As updates from the family cross my screen, I'll post them here.  From me, the iReporter who was close to this event, THANK YOU EVERYONE in getting this story forwarded.  Rarely do such things end in good news.  This one did.  More details later.  What's posted below this is what was used to spread the word and make a positive difference for this family.

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Amber Keener was last seen at Dutch Fork Middle School in Irmo, South Carolina, on the afternoon of 5/3/2012.

A local Amber Alert has been issued.

Amber Keener is 5'4" , 120 Pounds and was last seen wearing Tan Pants, a Blue Polo, Black Sneakers with a Black Belt.

If you have seen her or know where she is, please call 911 right away.

*UPDATE:  Abmer Keener's parents have made important requests.  They posted them to Facebook earlier in the day.

Lori Keener via Facebook: "Thank you again everyone who has reposted. There is NO need to call tv, newspapers, Nancy Grace, or anyone else now. The police have asked to be allowed time to work, and I'm giving it to them. Every prayer and good wish is truly appreciated from the heart, but now it's time to back off and let the professionals work. I'll update as soon as we hear more."

Ken Keener vis Facebook: "Everyone, please listen. While I appreciate the concern being shown for our family I have to ask that no one call my home phone to chat or ask for information. I promise that Lori will be the first one to tell people when we know something. Thank you."

In order to help with compliance in their requests, this iReporter redacted their originally published contact numbers from this article.  Please, if you've seen the girl pictured above, dial 911 and contact the authorities with the location, time and any other relavent information about their missing daughter.

*UPDATE 2:  It is appearing that Amber Keener may have got into a vehicle with someone she knows, and that person is now missing as well. The police have many leads and are following every one of them.  The vehicle is reported as being a light bluish gray 4 door.  No other details about the car or its driver are available at this time.  As details are released, this will be updated.

Thank you for respecting this family's privacy during their time of crisis and to only make contact with the authorities if you have actually seen Amber.

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*UPDATE 3 (5/5/2012) :  Spread the word, fliers, fulll blast. Everything you've got! She's classified endangered now and SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division) is about to issue a full Amber alert. Please Share This Post as much as possible!  You're forwarding this article and it may go to the pair of eyes that can make the difference for this family in finding their daughter!

UPDATE 4 (5/5/2012) : As of 8pm last night, Amber Keener was alive. Positively ID'd in Ballentine, by video. No word on where she is or if that's still true. Please keep praying and reposting!  No other information is currently available, please keep getting the message out so we can safely bring her home!

As stated above, Amber Keener has been found and safely returned home by the police.  More on this development later.