Missing 15-year Old Found Safe

Gracie Parks, the 15 year old that has been missing from her home in Toccoa since May 4th, has been found safe.

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley confirmed the news this afternoon. ” The runaway juvenile from a residence on Bend Hickory Road has been located in Belleville, Illinois safe and in good health. She is currently in custody of the Belleville Police Department where she is awaiting transfer back to Georgia.”

Shirley said that local authorities will interview the 15-year old when she is safely back in Georgia. ” She will be interviewed by Stephens County investigators as soon as she arrives back to the custody of her grandmother. We do have evidence of an acquaintance that picked her up, but do not know the name of the individual.”

Shirley says investigators are combing through electronic equipment to find more information on the individual. “Evidence is being analyzed in the crime lab. It is our hopes that evidence from that electronic equipment will assist us, along with the interview, in determining the individual that picked her up.”

Local officials partnered with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to try and find the 15-year old.

WNEG will provide more information as the investigation continues.