SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – Deputies with the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office said a missing teen was found out of state.
The sheriff’s office reported that just before 5 p.m. on Friday, deputies responded to Cromwell Drive in reference to a missing 14-year-old.
Deputies did not specify the teen’s name.
Deputies said they spoke with family members and friends of the teen and learned the teen had been communicating with an individual who claimed to be from New York.
Officials said investigators eventually identified the individual as Caesar Daniel Palacios-Escalon, 22, of Long Island.
According to deputies, further investigation determined Palacios-Escalon had been in Spartanburg County around the time of the teen’s disappearance and was traveling toward his home in New York.
Officials said investigators coordinated with the New York State Police, who located Palacios-Escalon around 1 a.m. on Saturday. The teen was found safe with Palacios-Escalon. Deputies said the teen was placed into protective custody, and Palacios-Escalon was arrested by New York State Police.
The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office said it obtained an arrest warrant charging Palacios-Escalon with kidnapping. Officials said he is currently being held in New York on local charges.
Officials said the investigation is ongoing.
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