INVERNESS - Citrus County Sheriff’s Office investigators are asking for the public’s help in locating 16-year-old Jessica Hackney, whose birthday is today.

The teen has been missing for more than a month.

The last time her mother saw her was when the teen left the house in the company of a young, possibly Hispanic, male on Wednesday, Aug. 4, around noontime.

When the mother awakened the following morning to find that Jessica had never returned to the family’s East Dawson Drive home, she reported her as missing.

Jessica is described as a white female, 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing about 250 pounds. She has brown hair and blue eyes. If she were at home, she would be enrolled at Citrus High School.

Jessica was last seen wearing shorts of an unknown color, plus a black top.

CCSO investigators have been in touch with the girl’s friends and associates, but it’s unknown at this time if Jessica is still in Citrus County or may have headed north.

Investigators also have checked with authorities in Tennessee and Iowa regarding possible locations where the teen may be staying.

Additionally, bus stations and social networking Web sites have been monitored, but Jessica’s whereabouts remain a mystery.

A BOLO (be on the lookout) was issued for the missing girl, plus the teen’s information was entered into the national database for missing persons.

If anyone has information about 16-year-old Jessica Hackney or her whereabouts, please call 911 or 726-1121 right away to ensure her safe return.