A 17-year-old Lincoln County girl who was deemed missing by her grandparents for about three weeks was found early Friday morning in Lancaster, said Lincoln County Sheriff Curt Folger. He said she is in custody at Adair County Juvenile Detention Center charged with being a habitual runaway.
Heather Thomas was last seen by her grandparents, Randall and Midge Long, June 1. Lincoln County Sheriff Department was then asked to get involved. Deputy Donnie Gilliam said this wasn't their first go-round with Thomas running away.
Gilliam previously said with each runaway attempt, Thomas learned more about how to avoid being found. However, he also speculated he didn't think she had gone far, and said authorities did not believe she wasin danger.
Folger said Lancaster Police Department, Garrard County Sheriff Department and Lincoln County Sheriff Department had been exchanging information for some time when Lancaster Police Department received a tip of Thomas' whereabouts.
