A missing Oakland teen was found safe in the state of Nebraska after going missing for nearly a week, police reported Wednesday morning.
Lanie Nolan Photo provided by Lewiston Police
Lanie Nolan, 15, an Oakland native and resident of New Beginnings in Lewiston, was located in the state of Nebraska on Tuesday night.
“Arrangements are currently being made to get her back to Maine so as to reunite her with her family,” Lewiston Police said in a news release.
Nebraska State Patrol arrested 23-year-old Taylor Hauke of Vacaville, California, on charges of child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Nolan had been missing since March 18 when she said she was “going for a walk.” New Beginnings, which serves homeless and runaway youth, contacted police when she did not return.
Police believed Nolan may have willingly left with Hauke, whom she had been in contact with on social media. Hauke is currently being held at the Lincoln County Jail in Lincoln, Nebraska.
They were found near the Brady rest area on Interstate 80 in North Platte, Nebraska. Hauke was driving a blue 2001 Ford Mustang with a California license plate.
“We are very pleased that Lanie has been located and that she is safe,” police wrote in the release. “We would like to acknowledge and thank everyone that assisted with this missing person investigation; including family members, friends and community members, LPD detectives and officers as well as the many dedicated law enforcement professionals who contributed in Lanie being found safe.”
In addition to the Lewiston Police Department, the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office, Oakland Police, Homeland Security Investigations, California’s Attorney General’s Office, Nebraska State Police and Vacaville, California, police assisted in the search.
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