Port Washington teen reported missing, Nassau police say

Detectives from the Nassau County police Missing Persons Squad are searching for Merlin Paniagua, 15, of Manorhaven, who was last seen leaving Schreiber High School in Port Washington about 1:30 p.m. Monday.

Police could not provide a description of what kind of clothing Paniagua was wearing when she was last seen, but they have released a photo of the teen.

Police are asking anyone with information about the case to call 911 or the Missing Persons Squad at 516-573-7347.

All calls will be kept confidential.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”