Police in Montgomery County, Maryland, are asking the public for help locating a missing 14-year-old girl who was last seen earlier this week in Rockville.
Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division said Zeynab Nustrat Ali was last seen on Monday, August 17, 2026, at 2 p.m. near the 2000 block of Baltimore Road in Rockville. The department shared details about the case in an announcement published on August 18, 2026.
Authorities have released a physical description and a request for tips as they work to bring the teen home safely.
Who Is Missing
The missing teen is Zeynab Nustrat Ali, age 14. Police have not publicly confirmed her date of birth, her city of residence, or the school she attends. As of the latest available information, her last known activity before she went missing had not been publicly confirmed by authorities.
What Happened
According to the Montgomery County Department of Police, Zeynab was last seen on the afternoon of Monday, August 17, 2026. Detectives with the Special Victims Investigations Division are handling the case and have asked members of the public to come forward with any information that could help locate her.
Police have not publicly described the circumstances that led to her disappearance. As of the department’s August 18 announcement, no arrest had been reported, and officials had not released a case or report number connected to the search.
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Where and When She Was Last Seen
Zeynab was last seen at approximately 2 p.m. on Monday, August 17, 2026, near the 2000 block of Baltimore Road in Rockville, Maryland. Rockville is located in Montgomery County, in the U.S. state of Maryland.
The Montgomery County Department of Police released its public appeal the following day, on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
Physical Description
Police shared the following description of Zeynab Nustrat Ali to help the public identify her:
- Height: 5 feet, 2 inches
- Weight: 120 pounds
- Hair: Red
- Eyes: Brown
- Distinguishing features: Pierced nose
What She Was Last Seen Wearing
At the time she was last seen, Zeynab was wearing:
- A black shirt
- Black pants
- Black slides
No vehicle information was included in the police appeal, and none has been publicly confirmed.
Timeline of Events
- Monday, August 17, 2026, at 2 p.m. — Zeynab Nustrat Ali was last seen near the 2000 block of Baltimore Road in Rockville.
- Tuesday, August 18, 2026 — The Montgomery County Department of Police published a public appeal for help locating her, with detectives from the Special Victims Investigations Division handling the case.
Police and Official Response
The case is being handled by detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division, who issued a public request for assistance.
As of the department’s announcement, officials had not publicly confirmed whether any official alert — such as an Amber Alert or another endangered missing-person alert — had been issued in connection with the case. No arrest has been reported, and police have not released additional details about the investigation.
Investigation and Search Efforts
Police are continuing to seek the public’s help as part of their effort to locate Zeynab. The department has not publicly detailed the specific search measures underway. Officials have asked anyone who may have seen her or who has information about where she might be to contact police directly.
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Latest Update
As of the Montgomery County Department of Police announcement published on August 18, 2026, Zeynab Nustrat Ali remained missing, and authorities were still asking for the public’s assistance. No further confirmed developments had been publicly announced in the sources reviewed.
How the Public Can Help
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Zeynab Nustrat Ali is asked to contact the Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency line at 301-279-8000, which operates 24 hours a day.
If you see the teen or have details that could help investigators, reporting that information promptly can make a difference in a missing-person case.