MONROE, N.C. (WBTV) – A convicted sex offender is facing charges after a missing Monroe 16-year-old girl was found safe Wednesday night, authorities said.
Lauren Heath, who had been missing for about two weeks, was found safe in Kirkwood, Missouri, Wednesday and was reunited with her family, according to the Monroe Police Department.
Heath was last seen leaving her Union County home on Friday, Oct. 13.
During a Thursday morning update, Monroe Police officials said authorities were called for a suspicious vehicle that was parked in a Lowe’s parking lot. In that vehicle was the driver, identified by investigators as Christopher James Porter, 30, and Heath, who was identified by her birth certificate.
Monroe Police Capt. Steve Morton said Heath told law enforcement that she had met Porter, a convicted sex offender, on social media apps and the two had been in contact since July.
Porter took advantage of comments made by Heath about stress and wanting to run away, and ultimately convinced her to do so, according to Morton’s Thursday update. The suspect then traveled from Oklahoma to Monroe to pick her up, police said.
The suspect is facing numerous charges in Missouri, Monroe Police said. Those specific charges were not immediately known.
“The response from the public and the assistance from other agencies, law enforcement, public and private entities has been tremendous and immeasurably helpful during this investigation,” said Monroe’s Police Chief J. Bryan Gilliard. “Our detectives have worked tirelessly to get to this resolution, and I could not be more proud or pleased with their efforts.”
Before Lauren was found, her parents, Derrick and Latanya, were desperate for answers.
“A while back, I said I would move heaven and Earth to find her,” said Derrick. “There’s nothing that my wife and I won’t do. Whatever is to find her and bring her home.”
Last week, the community held a candlelight vigil at the Heaths’ home. The family said billboards…
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