Missing Charlotte teen found in Union County tells authorities he walked there
A Charlotte teenager reported missing Monday evening was found about 20 miles away at a Union County gas station Tuesday morning, according to the Union County Sheriff’s Office.
A journey he made on foot.
The 18-year-old, who Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said has a cognitive impairment, walked from Carolina Family Alliance, a mental health facility, to an Exxon gas station in Fairview, the sheriff’s office said.
That could take anywhere from six to seven hours at least, according to Google Maps.
Lt. Matt Winfrey, the spokesperson at the sheriff’s office, said a store employee recognized the 18-year-old, who was reported missing the night before.
A deputy who arrived at the store spoke with the teen, who said he was hungry, Winfrey said. The deputy gave the 18-year-old some chips. Winfrey said the teenager told law enforcement he walked continually from the care facility, where he lives, only occasionally stopping on the side of the road for rest before making it to the gas station.
The teen’s caretaker and family were contacted, and he was taken to a hospital for evaluation, Winfrey said. Law enforcement said the teen was unharmed.
