CLEVELAND COUNTY, N.C. – The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help in locating a couple missing since last week.

On February 16, family members reported that they had not heard from Tina Marie Freeman and her boyfriend, Robert Joel Franklin, since February 13. Both were reportedly seen in the Patterson Springs area on that date. They also failed to show up at work on that day.

Deputies say they are investigating the possibility that Franklin took Freeman against her will based upon a comment he reportedly made to his sister, in which he allegedly threatened to kill Freeman.

Family members have told sheriff’s deputies that Franklin has been known to be abusive toward Freeman in the past, and that the couple were reportedly experiencing relationship problems. He has previously been charged with assault on a female.

Freeman is described as 5 feet tall and weighing 100 pounds, and has brown hair and hazel eyes. She also has a pierced tongue and navel.

Franklin is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall weighing 150 pounds, and has brown hair and brown eyes. He also has “Tina” tattooed on his arm and a cross tattooed on his left hand.

The couple may be traveling in Freeman's white 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 extended cab pickup truck with the N.C. license plate: VZE-4430. Sheriff’s officials say they do not know where the couple may be heading.

Freeman and Franklin have been entered into the National Crime Information Center database as missing and endangered, and the sheriff’s office is actively looking for the couple and the truck.

No charges have been filed in this case.

Anyone with information concerning the couple's whereabouts is asked to contact the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office at (704) 484-4822 or (704) 484-4788.