Amnesia Teen's Dad Says This Isn't The First Time

Kacie Peterson

Over the weekend, officials announced that they had identified the teenager who was found wandering in Times Square with near-total amnesia. She is 18-year-old Kacie Aleece Peterson of Hansville, Washington, who was first reported missing on October 2nd. But detectives in Washington found bank activity and other evidence that she was alive and getting by, so they did not issue an Amber Alert. Her father Henry Peterson is flying to NYC today, and he says his daughter has experienced amnesia before.

On one previous occasion, Kacie Peterson was found lying by a stream with only patchy memories as to who she was and how she got there. In this most recent incident, Peterson had been living with a friend in Hansville and attending High School. Her mother is deceased, and "there had been some pressure and stress between Kacie and her father," the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports. She was finally identified by a friend who saw a CNN report about her.

But aside from the amnesia, Henry Peterson says his daughter has no history of mental illness or drug abuse. He tells the Daily News, "I am totally baffled why she picked up and left." And in an interview with the Post, he says, "She's fairly typical, but she's super quiet. She lost her mom about 11 years ago. It hit her really hard. It's been tough ever since. She's trying to find her way."

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By John Del Signore in News on October 26, 2009 9:11 AM

Comments [rss]

militza

if she's done this before than she should do what some other guy I read did. he had his name and other pertinent info tattooed on him.

chelcc

wait, her or her dad's credit card showed activity? that seems like it might be very easy to find her/ for her to figure out what her name is. Also seems weird that her amnesia conveniently allows her to remember her pin or her signature but not what her name was.

zodak

he should have her implanted with 1 of those locator chips.

abcohen

I'm all for charity but really this isnt the first time?

Has anyone ever seen memento? how about a tattoo of her Social or a message if lost return too? name? phone number?

I feel really bad for her... but there are such easy solutions.

WorksInDUMBO

She lost her mom ELEVEN years ago, and she is still getting over it? Not to be uncharitable, but it seems about time to stop using that as an excuse for nutty behavior.