Missing Oakland County Teen May Be in West Michigan

UPDATE 11/13: The teen has been found safe in Newaygo County. A 51-year-old man is charged with child pornography, harboring a runaway, and weapons offenses.

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help finding a missing 17-year-old girl from Rochester Hills who hasn’t been seen since Friday.

Get our free mobile app

Police say Janella Arlene Nicholas, a senior at Rochester Community Schools who attends the Alternative Center for Education (ACE), was last seen getting off the school bus around 3 p.m. on November 7. She never made it home.

READ MORE: Unique LGBTQ-Owned Store Downtown Grand Rapids to Close 

Investigators believe Janella may have gotten into an older model Jeep Cherokee with an unknown driver shortly after she got off the bus. Her father contacted the sheriff’s office later that day when she didn’t return home.

Janella is described as 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing about 135 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a light-colored sweatshirt.

READ MORE: Where to See Christmas Light Displays Around West Michigan in 2025

Police say she may be in West Michigan, but no specific location has been confirmed. Further details have not been released.

If you have any information about Janella’s whereabouts, please contact the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office at 248-858-4950.

This remains a developing story.