Missing West Newton Teen Found In New Jersey With 23-Year-Old Man, Charges Pending
WEST NEWTON (KDKA) -- A 16-year-girl is safe after being found in New Jersey with a 23-year-old man.
According to West Newton Police, the teen was last seen around 1 p.m. Tuesday. About four hours later, her father called the police and said she was missing.
"She's done things like this before, but she's never ran away... but it's crazy," the girl's younger sister said.
According to the girl's sister, the teenager is the oldest of four siblings.
After getting a tip, search crews with the West Newton Volunteer Fire Company and Collinsburg Volunteer Fire Department searched the Youghiogheny River, nearby shoreline, and along the Greater Allegheny Passage for any clues of her whereabouts. They searched for about five hours on Tuesday. West Newton crews were out for another two-and-a-half hours on Wednesday morning.
"They believe someone had seen her there," West Newton Volunteer Fire Company Assistant Chief Dustin Sanner said.
Then, today around noon, West Newton Police Chief Gary Indof said the girl was found with a 23-year-old man in Highland Park, New Jersey.
He believes that man came out to Westmoreland county and took the teen with him across state lines.
Indof told KDKA the two had been communicating online.
He said they learned from the girl's friends that she planned on meeting this man.
"I'm just shaken up and ready for her to come home," the sister said.
The teen is currently in New Jersey.
Police are holding her until family arrives to take her home.
At this time, Indof said the 23-year-old man has no charges against him. He is still working with the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office on what's next. Indof would not release his name.
According to Indof, police are still investigating.