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Missing Ocoee teen found safe in West Virginia

Published  February 4, 2016 11:42am EST
News
FOX 51 Gainesville

OCOEE, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - UPDATE: Kaylee Posey has been found safe in West Virginia.  

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The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children asked news organizations across Central Florida and West Virginia to post a missing child alert for 17-year-old Kaylee Posey. 

"We have been disseminating  images of the child to the public, like in this case, the public awareness part of our work is extremely important, that’s one of our most powerful tools when it comes to missing children, making the public the eyes and ears of law enforcement,” said Robert Lowery with the Center.

Ocoee Police Lt. Mike Bryant says Posey was reported missing last Monday, January 15.  He says the teenager is a senior at Ocoee High School.  Lt. Bryant says her parents thought that when she left the house last Monday morning, she was going to catch the school bus to school. OPD says Kaylee Posey never got on the bus or showed up to class. 

“We don’t think she’s in danger like in somebody taking her.  We just because of her age and she’s out there on her own, there is the temptation. She’s vulnerable and we don’t want anyone taking advantage of a runaway that’s out there by herself,” said Lt Bryant.

The Lieutenant says it’s not like her to run away, none of her friends have heard from her and she’s even gone silent on social media.  “We know her parents just really really want to hear from her. Even if she just posts a Facebook message or a text to let us know she is okay. Her grandparents are coming into town from Virginia,” said Lt. Bryant.

At this point, investigators don’t know if Kaylee is still in Central Florida or if she’s in West Virginia where she has family and friends.  “We knew she had enough money to run away if you will, but we don’t know where she was trying to go. Did she get on a bus?  Is she at a friends house?  Is there a boyfriend that we don’t know about?” said Lt. Bryant.

If you have any information on where Kaylee Posey is or have seen her since 1/15/16 call the Ocoee Police Department or Crimeline 800-423-TIPS (8477).