By Brandi Makuski

Portage Co. deputies are searching for a runaway 16-year-old girl, who was last seen with a registered sex offender.

Rayna N. Griffin reportedly ran away from a group home in the Town of Hull at about 3:15 PM on Saturday, according to police.

Sgt. Jeff Coey of the Portage Co. Sheriff’s Office said the girl was last seen in the presence of a male sex offender. That man has since been arrested on a warrant related to being with the girl; Coey declined to identify the man, saying it could have a negative affect on the ongoing investigation.

“There was a warrant for him issued by [Dept. of Probation and Parole] relating to this incident,” Coey said.

Coey also responded to questions about why no Amber Alert was issued for Griffin.

“That was evaluated by our agency and DCI (Dept. of Criminal Investigation),” Coey said. “It was decided that because she left on her own free will, and not abducted, this was not an Amber Alert type of situation.”

Coey said the PCSO did receive reports of the girl being seen in the Stevens Point Area shortly after she was reported missing, but as of noon on Sunday she is still missing.

Griffin is a black girl, 5′ tall and about 135 pounds. She was last seen with two braids in her hair wearing black pants, a grey t-shirt and a gold chain.

Anyone with information on the girl’s whereabouts should call the Portage County Sheriff’s Office at 715-346-1400.