Hilary Bonnell, 16, has been missing since Sept. 5. She was last seen about 7:30 a.m., walking along Highway 11 in the Burnt Church area. (RCMP)

Ground search and rescue groups have stopped their search for a missing New Brunswick teenager.

But an unofficial search by family and friends is still underway in the tight-knit community of Eskinuopitijk First Nation, commonly known as Burnt Church.

Hilary Bonnell, 16, disappeared from Eskinuopitijk, in the northeast of the province, on Sept. 5. She had attended a party on the reserve with friends the night before and was last seen walking along Highway 11, about 7:30 a.m. AT.

Tri-County Ground Search and Rescue wrapped up their search on Friday after finding no clues about Bonnell's whereabouts, search manager Joseph LaBelle said.

The Moncton-based volunteer group "exhausted all areas that had been identified as high potential for our type of operation," he said.

Miramichi Ground Search and Rescue also called off its search Friday, LaBelle said.

"We hope some more information can be developed — some more clues found — that will also enable us to participate again," he added.

Community search continues

However, members of Bonnell's community have refused to give up and continue to search around the clock, said band Coun. Curtis Bartibogue.

They're concerned for her safety, since Bonnell sent a text message to a friend the morning she disappeared that read: "Oh God, I'm scared. I wanna leave."

"Why isn't there a helicopter involved, or there haven't been any dogs issued to follow any scents?" —Band Coun. Curtis Bartibogue

Community members have been following up on leads, and the band council is offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to Bonnell's safe return, said Bartibogue, who is Bonnell's cousin.

Bartibogue believes Bonnell is alive and wants police to speed up their investigation.

"Why isn't there a helicopter involved, or there haven't been any dogs issued to follow any scents? We're hoping the RCMP can step it up a bit," he said.

RCMP officials could not be reached for comment Sunday, but they have asked for the public's assistance in locating Bonnell. The girl's mother, Pamela Fillier, also issued a public plea for her daughter's safe return.

Fillier doesn't believe her daughter ran away. She said she last spoke with Bonnell the morning of Sept. 5 and they had made plans to go shopping for new school clothes later that day.

Bonnell is aboriginal, has dark eyes and black, shoulder-length hair. She is 5-5 and weighs about 134 pounds.

She was last seen wearing a purple T-shirt, a black sweater, jean shorts and sandals.