SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. — A teen who went missing out of Washington nearly a month ago was found safe in South Haven this week.
The 14-year-old girl willingly left her home on the either night of January 5 or the morning of January 6, according to the Mount Vernon Police Department (MVPD).
"For a long time, [she] had not made any sort of contact with family or friends, which is of course very concerning," said Lieutenant Dave Shackleton, MVPD.
Police say they were tipped off Tuesday to information regarding a man known as “Keith," who reportedly ordered a ride share service for the teen, transporting her more than 2,000 miles away from home.
"We got tips every day from different people," Shackleton said.
The steady stream of information eventually led police to identify “Keith” as a man living off of Blue Star Memorial Highway in South Haven.
MVPD reached out to the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office (VBCSO), who followed up on the information and found the girl in the suspect’s home, physically unharmed. The 30-year-old suspect was also found and taken into custody.
The suspect reportedly faces several charges, including first-degree criminal sexual conduct, contributing to childhood delinquency, and failing to obey the Sex Offender Registration Act. There is also probable cause for second-degree kidnapping charges, police add. A formal arraignment is still pending.
"It was the absolute dedication of love that led the police to the information they needed," said Kimberly Fierley, the 14-year-old's godmother.
Shortly after the teen's disappearance, Fierley created a Facebook group dedicated to her safe return home.
"We worked every waking moment," Fierley said. "We built a team of amazing friends and family from across the nation."
The publicity of the case played a part in the arrest of the South Haven suspect, Shackleton says.
“Just want to say thank you to everybody that reached out with those tips," he said. "Her family was, of course, incredibly happy, even more so than us."
The Van Buren County Sheriff's Office confirmed to FOX 17 that additional details related to the case will be shared during a Friday press conference.
FOX 17 is choosing not to identify the 14-year-old involved with this story per our victim policy concerning the alleged crimes described and implied by this story.
