FLORENCE, South Carolina — Florence Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating 14-year-old Leila Snider, who was last seen on April 7, 2025, in the 1100 block of Waxwing Dr. The runaway case, identified as #2025-002702, has prompted an urgent call for information to ensure her safe return. No physical description or additional details about Leila’s circumstances were provided in the initial release, which may complicate efforts to identify her.
Waxwing Dr., a residential street in Florence, has been the site of police activity before—a 2024 officer-involved shooting in the same area, reported by scnow.com, suggests it may not be the quietest neighborhood, potentially raising questions about the environment Leila was last seen in. Florence, a city of about 40,000, has seen its share of runaway cases, often involving teens. For instance, foxcarolina.com reported on February 12, 2025, that the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office searched for 14-year-old Ja’Davius Kikiruyn Murray, who ran away from Racine Court, indicating a broader regional trend of teen runaways that might point to underlying social issues like family instability or economic pressures.
Lcpl. Murphy is leading the effort and can be reached at cmurphy@cityofflorence.com or 843-665-3191. Tips can also be submitted anonymously via the department’s form at https://www.cognitoforms.com/CityOfFlorence/CrimeTips. The lack of a detailed description or context about why Leila might have left—whether due to personal distress, external influence, or other factors—leaves gaps in understanding her situation. This case underscores the challenges of locating runaways in urban settings, where community cooperation is crucial but often limited by sparse information.
