AUGLAIZE COUNTY — A 15-year-old girl reported missing from Chicago was safely recovered in Waynesfield on Thursday.
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Waynesfield Police Department Chief Nathan Motter initiated the recovery after being stopped by a couple traveling through the area who were concerned for the girl’s safety, the department revealed in a release on social media.
The incident began when the boyfriend’s parents stopped Motter to request assistance regarding their son’s girlfriend. The couple informed the chief they believed the 15-year-old was in trouble and required immediate help.
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Following an investigation conducted with a detective from the Chicago Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service, authorities confirmed the girl had been reported missing from Chicago. The teenager said she had intended to run away with her boyfriend once she reached Columbus, but the plan was interrupted by the boyfriend’s parents.
The parents were attempting to drive the girl back to Chicago when she stated she intended to flee again as soon as the vehicle stopped. Concerned for her safety, the parents sought assistance from Motter while the girl was asleep in the car.
Through the coordinated efforts of multiple agencies, the juvenile was safely recovered. She was reunited with her father and brother at the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office 7 hours after her boyfriend’s parents first contacted police.
“This was an excellent collaboration of multiple local and federal resources to return a missing girl to her family. With limited information and a language barrier, we were able to safely reunite a teenager with her family,” Motter said.
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