The three, Chelesea Jagdeo, 14, of Hampton Court; Mariel Williams, 17, of Queenstown and Malinie Naipaul, 14, of Better Hope, all villages on the Essequibo Coast, were reportedly seen heading for neighbouring Venezuela in the company of acquaintances from the Lower Pomeroon.

The girls, students of the Anna Regina Multilateral School, some 15 miles south of Charity, were at school Monday morning but left the compound before the morning session was over.

Reports said they went to Chelesea's home in Hampton Court where they took off their school uniforms and changed into jeans and T-shirts supplied by Chelesea before proceeding to Charity in a mini-bus.

Police said they were seen on board a speedboat at Charity at about 18:00 hrs on Monday.

The girls "reportedly left for Venezuela by boat on Tuesday in (the) company (of) acquaintances from the Lower Pomeroon", Police added in a press release Friday.

Other reports said they were seen heading north towards the Pomeroon River mouth; were at an abandoned house far down the river on Tuesday afternoon; and were forced into a boat by a group of men early Wednesday morning.

Charity Police said six ranks had been sent down the Pomeroon River to search and all Police Stations across the country have been alerted of the disappearance.

A boat with some members of the DaSilva family from the Lower Pomeroon who are assisting with the search left the Pomeroon Friday night for Venezuela, reports said.

The Chronicle understands the mothers of two of the missing girls, Mrs. Cameela Jagdeo and Mrs. Norma Williams were scheduled to travel with the DaSilva family to Venezuela yesterday morning but were disappointed when they arrived at 07:00 hrs for the trip and were told the boat had already left.

Reports said a male member of the DaSilva family gave the three schoolgirls a ride in his boat at Charity on Monday.

The two mothers and the 17-year-old brother of Malinie Naipaul were still waiting at Charity for transportation to Venezuela up to late yesterday.

It is understood that Malinie's mother is currently living in Georgetown. Neighbours told the Chronicle that Malinie and her brother Freddie Naipaul, who is a rice farmer, lived with their father Mr. Chunni Naipaul at Better Hope.

Neighbours said the mother left the home some three weeks ago because of domestic problems. No one was at the Better Hope home yesterday, when the Chronicle visited.

Chelesea's grandmother, Mrs. Susheila Jagdeo said three Policemen visited her home yesterday and requested that she report to the Anna Regina Police Station tomorrow.

She said she is very worried about her granddaughter and has been unable to sleep and eat since the girls disappeared Monday.

Chelesea is of East Indian descent, about five feet, six inches tall, medium-built, has long black hair and fair complexion.

Mariel is of mixed race, about five feet, seven inches tall, medium built, has long black hair and fair complexion.

Malinie is of East Indian descent, about five feet, five inches tall, thin, has long black hair and light brown complexion.

Chelesea's mother, Cameela, said she visited the school on Monday morning to check on her daughter's academic performance and while leaving the compound around 10:00 hrs, saw Chelesea, Mariel and Malinie, also on their way out.

The mother said she asked her daughter where she was going and was told that they were going to collect some "things" at Hampton Court, about four miles away.

The girl said they needed the "things" to use at a modelling show scheduled for this weekend at the school.

Cameela said Chelesea lived with her grandmother at Hampton Court.

Police were yesterday continuing their investigations and were questioning a number of persons in Charity and Pomeroon in connection with the missing schoolgirls. (RAJENDRA PRABHULALL)