FBI searching for 'endangered' teen last seen leaving Atlanta airport with unknown man

ATLANTA - The FBI is searching for a missing 17-year-old girl who hasn't been seen since leaving Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport four days ago. 

The FBI said Emma Linek, who goes by Zari, was last seen leaving the North Daily parking lot at Atlanta's airport at around 10 a.m. on Sept. 6.

On Saturday, Sept. 10 Assistant Special Agent Christopher Macrae and the teen's father, Mr. Linek, held a press conference urging the public to call the FBI tip line with any leads on Emma's whereabouts.

Originally, agents said the teen was seen with an unknown man. During Saturday's press conference, Macrae said the FBI now knows the identity of the man and has been in communication with him. Macrae says Emma is no longer with him, but would not release any details on his identity or his relation to the teen publicly.

The FBI said she flew into Atlanta from Cleveland on Sept. 6. A photo of her near a Delta kiosk shows her wearing plaid pants and a black shirt.

The FBI said Emma Linek, who goes by Zari, was last seen leaving the North Daily Parking lot at Atlanta's Airport at around 10 a.m. on Sept. 6. 

She's described as 5-foot-3, 160 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Mr. Linek takes the mic, detailing key traits about his daughter Emma.

"She's a wonderful girl," Mr. Linek said during the press conference. "Sweet and bubbly personality. She loves animals. She loves to sing. And we're anxious to have her back with us."

FBI photo of Emm Linek at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Macrae described the teen as "endangered", saying she is in need of medication that she is suspected to have not taken since Tuesday.

"The only thing that I will mention about her medical condition is that in discussions with Mr. Linek, she is clinically diagnosed as autistic. But in speaking with Mr. Linek, you would not know that through in your general interactions with her. As Mr. Linek had mentioned, she is a very outgoing, bubbly person," said Macrae.

She has ties to Cleveland, Akron and Twinsburg, Ohio. Officials say she is believed to have no ties to Georgia and does not know anyone here.

Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI’s tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Anyone who sees the teen is asked to call 9-1-1.