Michigan Live LLCDeputies find teen who went missing Wednesday evening in Sheridan TownshipPublished: Thursday, January 26, 2012, 10:52 AM · Updated: Thursday, January 26, 2012, 11:49 AM
By Aaron Aupperlee | Jackson Citizen PatriotJeffrey Scott Mooney, 15, has been found and returned to the Montcalm School at Starr Commonwealth.Calhoun County Sheriff's deputies have found
a teen who went missing Wednesday evening in Sheridan Township.
Around 9:30 a.m.,
Jeffrey Scott Mooney walked out of a wooded area near Bemer and Cooper streets on the edge of Albion, said Capt. Matt Saxton. Mooney had been missing since 7:30 p.m.
"He was cold but fine," Saxton said.
Jeffrey, 15, walked away from the Montcalm School at Starr Commonwealth, said Dana Jacob, director of corporate communications for the school. The Montcalm School, 13725 Starr Commonwealth Road, is a private boarding school for teenagers with emotional and mental conditions.
Jacob said Jeffrey had been returned to campus and is physically OK. School staff notified the sheriff's office immediately after discovering Jeffrey missing. Staff assisted deputies and officers in the search, Jacob said.
"We're very thankful to local law enforcement and thankful for returning him safely," Jacob said.
Jeffrey, who is from Pennsylvania, walked away from the school, leaving a note that said he would not be coming back. He left wearing warm, thermal clothing. Jeffrey had wilderness survival training, reports stated.
Sheriff's deputies searched the area with assistance from a Michigan State Police helicopter and tracking dogs from the state police and Springfield Department of Public Safety. They resumed searching this morning.
During the search, Albion Department of Public Works employees spotted someone matching Jeffrey's description near Bemer and Cooper streets, about 4 miles from Starr Commonwealth's campus, Saxton said.
Deputies and state police officers set up a perimeter around the area. The state police helicopter made one pass over the area, and Jeffrey walked out of the woods, Saxton said.
Saxton said Jeffrey has a history of running away.
Contact Aaron Aupperlee at aaupperl@mlive.com or 517-768-4927. Follow him on Twitter or subscribe on Facebook.© 2012 Michigan Live LLC.