Utah runaway who prompted multi-state search found in Colorado

(COLORADO) — A runaway teenager from Utah who has been missing since April has been found in Colorado Springs.

According to the South Jordan Police Department, on Monday, April 21, the 15-year-old girl walked away from her American Fork school, purchased items at a local gas station, and boarded a Utah Transit Authority (UTA) train, then exited at the Provo, Utah, station. According to the police department in Utah, the teenager asked multiple people to help her travel to Las Vegas, Nevada.

The police department reported that the teen was attempting to meet individuals she had met online using multiple social media platforms and chat applications.

Utah police later received a cyber-tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding the case, identifying a man in Texas who South Jordan Police believed had communicated with the teen before she left school on April 21.

According to South Jordan Police, both suspects communicated with the 15-year-old prior to her leaving school on April 21.

On May 20, South Jordan Police identified Matthew Nicholas Menard from Miami, Florida, through an investigation and charged him with Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Enticement of a Minor, and Criminal Solicitation.

A second suspect, William Taylor Glines, from Texas City, Texas, was also identified and charged with Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Attempted Aggravated Exploitation of a Minor, Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Enticement of a Minor, and Criminal Solicitation.

On Sunday, June 1, the teen made contact with the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) in Colorado, her identity was confirmed, and police said she was in good health and safe with Colorado officials.

CSPD told FOX21 News the teen turned herself into the Stetson Hills station on Sunday night, saying, “Parents have been notified of her location and are working with South Jordan Police to bring her home.”

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