Macon, Ga. (WGXA) — A Macon-Bibb County mother is pleading for her 14-year-old adopted daughter to come home safely after the teen repeatedly ran away over the past month.

Rhonda Everett, who has had full custody of her daughter Ariyanna Smith since she was a toddler, said she is desperate to bring her home and ensure she’s safe.

Ariyanna, who will turn 15 in just two days, hasn’t been seen consistently since September 18. Though she’s been located twice by Bibb County deputies, once on Moreland Avenue, and again on Richmond Street, each time she returned home only to run away again within minutes.

“Within 10–15 minutes after they leave, she’ll jump out of the window and she’s gone again,” said Everett.

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Everett adopted Ariyanna from a family friend after the teen was born addicted to drugs and placed in an unstable home environment. She intended to be her godmother, however, Everett stepped in when it became clear the home was not safe for a child.

“It was just to be there if they needed help with the baby. But once I started spending time with her, by that fourth or fifth week, they just forgot about her,” she said.

According to Everett, Ariyanna was a bubbly, outgoing child, until a visit this past summer changed everything. Everett allowed her to spend time with her biological mother to help with watching younger siblings. A decision she said she now regrets.

Since the visit, Everett says Ariyanna has been spotted smoking with boys in photos, skipping school, and sneaking out of the house at night.

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Despite Everett’s pleas, local authorities say their hands are tied. The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office told her they cannot place Ariyanna in the Macon Youth Development Center unless she has committed a crime. Meanwhile, Child Protective Services has said they can’t intervene and recommended counseling instead.

“I was like, ‘How do we go to counseling if she’s not here? Make it make sense,’” Everett said.

Since Ariyanna’s disappearance, Everett says someone has twice reported her to CPS, but both times the allegations were investigated and dismissed.

“That really broke my heart,” she said. “Even though I didn’t physically push her out, how do you give up on your child? I would want her to know that through it all—I love her, and I’ll always love her. I just want her to be safe and make better choices.”

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Everett said when Ariyanna does return, she plans to have both mental and physical evaluations done to ensure her daughter is okay. Her only wish now is to bring her home.

“When I first got Ariyanna, I was told by DFCS that her mother couldn’t have contact with her. But I didn’t want to raise a child who resents me for not knowing her biological family,” Everett said.

Ariyanna Smith is one of several teens reported as a runaway in Middle Georgia in recent weeks, and the second student from Rutland High School to run away in the past month.