Deputies searching for missing Deltona woman

Volusia County sheriff's investigators are searching for a 23-year-old DeBary woman who was last seen Wednesday in Deltona. Ashley A. Laufer has not been seen or heard from since around 8 p.m. Wednesday, when she left a Lowe's store on Howland Boulevard in Deltona.

Laufer's mother, Debi Behrens is distraught and says it's not like her daughter to not stay in touch with her. "She might go a day without calling me, but it's never more than a day, and I haven't heard from her now since Tuesday."  Behrens said her daughter is a frequent user of social media, but her postings have suddenly stopped.  "She's on Facebook every single day for hours and hours, and she hasn't been on Facebook since Wednesday."

Laufer's sister, Brissa, is especially worried, because she said her sister's cellphone appears to be turned off. "Ashley always has her phone nearby. There's never been a time we have not been able to contact her within two hours maybe."

Laufer has epilepsy, which requires her take medication, another concern for her family as time passes.  "We had just filled the prescription so she doesn't have it with her," said her mother. 

Laufer was last known to be wearing black shorts, a maroon striped blouse and flip-flop sandals. She was carrying a large pink bag.  Laufer is described as a white female, about 5 feet, 8 inches tall with green eyes and brown hair. Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office at 386-668-3830.