Not Your Typical Schoolhouse Crush

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Fernando Rodriguez

According to letters and emails, Lexington, Nebraska 13-year-old Fernando Rodriguez had the type of girlfriend any boy would want.  The girlfriend claimed she loved him and that he was the only person she would ever love again.

The only problem is that girlfriend was a 25-year-old teacher at Fernando's school.  The teacher, Kelsey Peterson, is now a wanted fugitive, apparently on the run with her forbidden love.

Sightings Abound

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Kelsey Petesron

On Friday October 26, 2007, friends and family saw Fernando for the last time. They believe, shortly thereafter, he hit the road with Peterson.

When word of this illicit relationship surfaced, school officials seized Peterson's school computer and discovered evidence of the relationship, in the form of emails and notes. 

Authorities enlisted the help of the FBI to track down leads and sightings, including ones in Denver, Colorado and Ogallala, Nebraska. But agents have reason to fear the two are headed further south than that.

Shortly after Peterson and Fernando left town, the boy apparently contacted his family asking whether it is necessary to have a visa or a passport to enter Mexico. Agents are working hard to see if that is a key clue as to where the two are headed.