Oakland County Teen Found in Newaygo County, Suspect Arrested

A 17-year-old missing teen from Oakland County has been safely recovered in West Michigan, and one person has been taken into custody.

Get our free mobile app

Disappearance Details

The teen, a senior at Rochester Community Schools, was reported missing after failing to return home from school on Friday. Witnesses reported seeing her get off her school bus in Rochester Hills and enter an older model Jeep Cherokee with an unknown driver. She never returned home, prompting her family to contact the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, which launched an investigation. At the time, police disclosed she may be in West Michigan, but did not reveal specific details.

Recovery Operation

Acting on tips, early Thursday morning, deputies from the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a residence in the 12,000 block of North Bingham Avenue in Lilley Township in Newaygo County. During the operation, the teen was safely located. She was interviewed and then turned over to Oakland County authorities for "follow-up care and coordination", according to police.

👇BELOW: TOP 50 MOST RAT INFESTED CITIES IN AMERICA👇

Suspect in Custody

A 51-year-old man from the Bitely area was also at the residence and taken into custody. Police have not confirmed whether he is the same individual seen driving the Jeep, but he now faces multiple charges, including harboring a runaway, manufacturing child pornography, and multiple firearm-related offenses. He is being held at the Newaygo County Jail.

The Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office thanks community members who provided tips that helped lead to the teenager's recovery.