Mystery as teens vanish after getting on train to the city

Authorities are searching for two 15-year-olds who were last seen boarding a train heading to New York City.

Vincent Abolafia and his girlfriend Kaileigh Catalano were last seen at the Ronkonkoma train station in Long Island on December 9.

The teens were each reported missing that same evening with police saying they may have been seen together in Times Square.

A police spokeswoman said on Sunday (local time) that no additional information was available.

Teens may have altered their appearances

Kaileigh's mother, Ehrin Catalano, said both teenagers were wearing all black and were dropped at the station by a classmate. Although Ms Catalano said they may have changed their hairstyle and colour.

According to Fox News, Vincent's stepdad, James Bonasia, said he recently got a haircut — but said it was "regular" and nothing dramatic.

Kaileigh's dad, Joe Catalano, said he felt "blindsided" by his daughter's disappearance on Sunday.

"My daughter's a varsity cheerleader. She's a good kid. I don’t know what possessed them to do this," he said.

Kaileigh's mum said her daughter's cheer team's Christmas party was supposed to be this weekend and she had already picked out a dress to wear.

"The night before, we were talking about her Sweet 16, no arguments," Ms Catalano recalled, adding they had never run away from home before.

Mr Bonasia also said that his stepson had not argued with family recently and called him "an amazing kid" with strong character.

The couple reportedly both left their mobile phones behind when they left.

'Rarely' ventured into the city

The couple's family said the pair rarely went into New York City from Long Island, where they both live.

However, she said the weekend before the couple went missing, they visited the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center with Vincent's family, adding the friend who drove them to the train told her he believed they planned on checking the tree out again.

Mr Catalano admits he's afraid they may be in danger.

"When you have two teenagers…with minimal resources, it can get dangerous pretty quick," he said. "And Manhattan right now isn’t what it was. Any city is dangerous for any adolescent."

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Both families pleaded with the teens to come home.

"Their family loves them and misses them, and all we want is for them to come home safe," Mr Bonasia said Sunday.

"I love you so much," Ms Catalano said of her daughter. "And we wanna know that you're safe, and please come home."

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