The Columbia Police Department began searching for a teen Friday after his mother reported him missing.

17-year-old Kylan P. Stubler was last seen being picked up by an unknown friend at his father’s residence at 2 p.m. Thursday, CPD spokeswoman Latisha Stroer said in an email. Stubler’s mother notified CPD of his disappearance at about 2 p.m. the following day.

“We usually check with friends and family to get a background on the person,” Stroer said. “We want to know what his normal routine is and how often he talks with friends and family.”

His mother found it odd that she had not heard from him despite her attempts to contact him, so she notified police, Stroer said. Nobody has seen or heard from Stubler since he left his father’s house Thursday. CPD asked for the public’s help in the search Sunday evening.

Stroer said there is a pattern the department often follows when pursuing a missing persons case.

“We start with his friends, family and the last person to see him,” she said.

Cases of this type aren’t common, Stroer acknowledged. Other local missing persons cases in which an adult neglected to contact his or her family include that of former student Nick Coppola.

“We do have runaway cases, but Stubler is an adult,” Stroer said. “This makes it difficult because he can willingly come and go without having to check in with anyone.”

A news release from CPD described Stubler as a man of about 5-feet-10-inches tall and 150 pounds. He has short, curly, brown hair and brown eyes. He isn’t going to school, Stroer said.

Stroer also said CPD has yet to find any leads, but are actively looking for some. Stroer encouraged anyone with information on Stubler’s whereabouts to contact CPD or Crime Stoppers at (573) 875-TIPS.