The Brief

MESA, Ariz. - A Turquoise Alert for a missing Mesa teenager is sparking debate online over the system's effectiveness and timing.

What we know:

Yolyn Hermios, 16, was last seen walking Saturday evening near Broadway and Dobson roads. Her family says it is completely out of character for Hermios to be out of touch, prompting police to issue the alert.

The timing of the alert, however, created confusion and frustration online, with many questioning the system's effectiveness.

Turquoise Alerts are a new resource issued when a person under 65 goes missing and police are unsure of the circumstances or believe they could be in danger. The alerts are geo-targeted, meaning they are sent to mobile phones and electronic signs within a specific geographic area.

Around 5 a.m. S

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