A Clackamas County family is urgently asking Oregonians to help find 16-year-old Emmalynn “Emma” Slaughter, who has been missing since the early morning hours of Sunday, September 13, 2026.
According to a missing-person flyer being circulated by Emma’s family, security footage captured the teenager leaving through her bedroom window at approximately 2 a.m. from her home in the Canby area, off Highway 170 and just south of Martin’s Furniture.
Her family has reported the disappearance to authorities. The case is listed on the family’s flyer as Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office case #26-018134.
Emma Was Last Seen Near Highway 170
Emma is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall, approximately 140 pounds, with medium-length black hair and brown eyes.
A public post from the family says Emma was wearing black sweatpants, a gray hoodie and white Nike shoes when she disappeared. The family said she had no backpack or flashlight with her and was seen heading north along Highway 170 toward Canby. nextdoor.com
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The family's security footage reportedly showed Emma leaving her bedroom window using a bedsheet.
For Emma's family, the hours since then have brought more questions than answers.
Family Releases Image of Vehicle They Want Identified
Emma’s mother has also shared an image of a gray or silver four-door sedan that the family believes could be important to establishing what happened after Emma left home.
According to her mother, the family believes Emma was seen meeting with the vehicle around the time she disappeared. At this point, however, the connection between the vehicle and Emma's disappearance has not been publicly confirmed by law enforcement.
The family is asking anyone who recognizes the vehicle or who may have seen a similar car in the Canby or Salem areas during the relevant time period to contact authorities.
Anyone with information should avoid confronting a driver or other person they believe may be connected with the case. Instead, document what you can safely observe and contact law enforcement.
Emma's Mother Describes Concerning Instagram Call
One of the most concerning developments described by Emma's family came after she disappeared.
According to Emma's mother, Emma's older sister received a very short telephone call through Instagram. The family says Emma indicated during the call that she had just woken up.
Her sister reportedly believed something sounded wrong with Emma's voice. Emma's mother said her daughter feared Emma sounded impaired or was having difficulty speaking, although there is currently no independent confirmation of why Emma may have sounded that way.
According to her mother's account, Emma then said:
“I have to hand the phone back.”
The call ended shortly afterward.
Emma's mother said the Instagram account used for the call was then deleted. Emma did not provide her sister with a location during the conversation, according to the family.
The circumstances surrounding that call have not been independently verified by That Oregon Life, and the family's interpretation of what could be heard on the call should not be treated as a determination of what happened to Emma.
Family Following Leads That Could Point Toward Salem
Emma's mother says the family has also received secondhand information suggesting someone in his 20s from the Salem area may have been involved in meeting Emma.
Importantly, Emma's mother herself emphasized that the family does not currently have concrete evidence confirming the person's identity or involvement.
Because those claims remain unverified, That Oregon Life is not identifying the individual or repeating additional allegations concerning that person at this time.
What matters most right now is locating Emma safely.
Have You Seen Emma Slaughter?
Emma is 16 years old, 5 feet 4 inches tall, approximately 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
She was last known to be leaving her home in the Canby area near Highway 170 at approximately 2 a.m. Sunday, September 13.
Anyone who believes they are currently seeing Emma, or who believes she may be in immediate danger, should call 911.
For non-emergency information related to the case, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office non-emergency number is 503-655-8211. The Sheriff's Office also maintains a tip line at 503-723-4949. When providing information, reference case #26-018134. Clackamas County confirms that its non-emergency dispatch operates 24 hours a day, while the Sheriff's Office tip line is intended for information concerning suspected criminal activity. Clackamas County
Emma's missing-person flyer also lists her mother, Brittany, at 541-731-8011, as a family contact for anyone with information.
Even something that seems insignificant could help establish Emma's movements after she left home. Anyone who was traveling along Highway 170 near Canby in the early morning hours of September 13, or who has home, business, dashcam or security footage from the area, is encouraged to review it.
Please share Emma's photo and information. The priority is getting this 16-year-old Oregon girl home safely.
