TikTok video was instrumental in locating missing Pennsylvania teen
A TikTok video by kidnapping survivor Alicia Kozak led to a tip that helped police locate and return missing woman Samantha Miscik to her family.
Pennsylvania —
A TikTok video created by kidnapping survivor and internet safety advocate Alicia Kozak (Kozakiewicz) helped police locate missing Pennsylvania woman Samantha Miscik after a viewer recognized her.
“I was rescued because of my missing persons poster out there because somebody saw it, and to be able to use that same method in this now tech-forward world that we’re in,” Kozak said.
The case struck a personal chord for Kozak, who is also a Western Pennsylvania native.
“I saw Samantha’s story; it was a WTAE story, it always sticks out because of course it’s Pittsburgh,” Kozak said.
York native Ari Csutoras came across Kozak’s TikTok video and immediately recognized Miscik.
“And I realize that like I know that face,” Csutoras said.
WATCH KOZAK’S TIKTOK BELOW
https://www.tiktok.com/@itsaliciakozak/video/7670269214304865550?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7363339995820623403
Csutoras told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that she had seen Miscik on Monday, Aug. 3, at a Sheetz in Mechanicsburg off Carlisle Pike. After watching the TikTok video the next day, Csutoras called the number on the missing persons poster.
“So, about– really it was five minutes of me going, ‘Am I sure?’ before I was like, ‘Well, if I’m wrong then I’m wrong, but if I’m right it could be a really good deal,'” Csutoras said.
Thanks to Csutoras’ tip and other comments on Kozak’s post, both Harrisburg police and Greensburg police were able to locate Miscik and bring her home.