High school student found days after going missing on school trip
A Florida high school student was found safe after she went missing during a school field trip in Georgia, officials announced Monday. Police said they located 16-year-old Mia Brailford at an Alabama address and detained a male suspect in connection with her disappearance.
Brailford went missing while her school was visiting the Gerald Lawhorn Scouting Base in Molena, Georgia. Her tentmate reported seeing her around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday but reported her missing by Sunday's 6 a.m. check-in, according to the School District of Palm Beach County.
Police said they located her Monday at a residence in Phenix City, Alabama, which is located about 50 miles from Molena.
Police identified the man as 27-year-old Jontai Kahri Austin. They said Brailford met Austin for the first time Saturday night on Instagram and decided to run off with him because they are both aspiring rappers, CBS affiliate WPEC reported.
Austin is being held in Russell County, Alabama, and faces a felony charge of interstate interference with child custody, WPEC reported.
The Upson County Sheriff's Office is investigating the case. Sheriff Dan Kilgore said Monday that the teen was located by technology that analyzes cell phone data.
Kilgore said the search involved "tremendous resources" including citizen volunteers, fire volunteers, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and FBI. "We wish to commend and thank all who participated for their assistance in this case," he added.
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