RCMP use helicopter in search for missing teen

New Brunswick RCMP havedeployed their helicopter unitto aid in the search for a 16-year-old girl from Eskinuopitijk First Nation, who disappearednearly two weeksago.

The force had requested use of the helicopter to search for Hilary Bonnell several days ago, but it was being used by another province, said Const. Franois Poirier. It went up in the air Thursday afternoon.

The helicopter crew plans to conduct a general search over the region where the teen was last seen. Then it plans to follow up on leads and tips, said Poirier.

In the past24 to 48 hours, more officers, including specialized officers from the major crime unit, have been broughtinfor thesearch, he said.

Police dogs are also standing by in case any evidence is found.

"As soon as we have something that[a police dog]can use, he's going be real close, so he can be helpful," Poirier said.

He said the RCMP continue to receive and follow up tips in the case, most of them from the eastern half of the province.

"[Tips are] still coming in at a fast pace and I don't have an exact number of how many tips we have, but there's a lot," he said.

Bonnell was last seen walking along Highway 11 at about 7:30 a.m. AT on Sept. 5

She disappeared after attending a party with friends the night before on the Eskinuopitijk First Nation, commonly known as Burnt Church, in the northeast of the province.

The community has offered a $15,000 reward for information leading to her return. Poirier could not say whether the reward has increased the number of tips coming in.

Bonnell is aboriginal, has dark eyes and black, shoulder-length hair. She is five feet five inches tall and weighs about 134 pounds.

She was last seen wearing a purple T-shirt, a black sweater, jean shorts and sandals.