Updated story, March 4, 12:42 p.m.: Destiny Davis, the last of the three teens reported missing last week, turned herself in to Newton County Juvenile Court around noon Tuesday, according to the Newton County Sheriff's Office.
Juvenile court officials are interviewing the girls and will decide what course of action to take moving forward, sheriff's Deputy Cortney Morrison said.
"None of the girls are being very forthcoming about where they were and what they doing," Morrison said.
No criminal charges have been filed against the girls, though running away can be a status offense - an offense that is not a crime and would not be illegal if the person was an adult - Morrison said. Juvenile court's purpose is to rehabilitate youth, not punish them, Morrison said, and the court has multiple programs to accomplish that goal. However, youth can be ordered to do community service as part of rehabilitation.
Amani McNeal and Semetric Caldwell, the other two teens reported missing last week, returned to Newton County Monday, according to the Newton County Sheriff's Office. Caldwell also turned herself in to juvenile court.
Caldwell and Davis did not return home from school on Feb. 27 and ran away together. McNeal went missing Sunday, Feb. 16, when she left home without permission.
The Sheriff's Office thanked all the public and media for their help in spreading the word about the missing girls.
"One of the girls said every time she turned around she saw her picture. She said she couldn't run from that," Morrison said Monday afternoon.
Updated story, March 3, 4:07 p.m.: Amani McNeal and Semetric Caldwell, two of three teens reported missing last week, has been located safe and unharmed, according to the Newton County Sheriff's Office. The third teen, Destiny Davis, 15, is still missing, though officials are hopeful she'll turn herself in soon.
McNeal and Caldwell both turned themselves in Monday after seeing their pictures and information in media reports, Deputy Cortney Morrison said.
Morrison said the Sheriff's Office wanted to thank everyone who spread the word about the missing teens, noting both girls said the widespread coverage led to their decisions to return.
"One of the girls said every time she turned around she saw her picture. She said she couldn't run from that," Morrison said Monday afternoon.
The Sheriff's Office is still seeking the public's help in locating Davis. Caldwell and Davis did not return home from school on Feb. 27 and ran away together. Davis' whereabouts is not known, Morrison said, and Caldwell is not being forthcoming at this time.
Morrison said Davis is not believed to be in danger, but officials are still trying to locate her as soon as possible.
"Investigators are continuing to work around the clock in attempts to locate these juveniles and will continue to utilize all resources necessary to find them," Morrison said.
Anyone with information about Davis is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 678-625-1400, or people can leave anonymous tips at 678-625-5007 or online at www.newtonsheriffga.org.
Caldwell is in the custody of the Newton County Juvenile Court, Morrison said, but she didn't know what the next steps for Caldwell would be.
Original story, Feb. 28, 4:13 p.m.:The Newton County Sheriff’s Office is actively working three missing person cases involving runaway juveniles and is seeking assistance from the community.
Fifteen-year-olds Destiny Davis, Semetric Caldwell and Amani McNeal have all been reported missing and NCSO is seeking any information on the three teen's whereabouts.
A release from the sheriff’s office said Amani McNeal has been missing since Sunday, Feb. 16, when she left home without permission and has not been located. McNeal may be traveling between the Atlanta and Covington areas, but at the time of the release her whereabouts were unknown, the report said.
Destiny Davis and Semetric Caldwell are believed to be together and did not return home from school on Thursday, Feb. 27, the release said.
According to the sheriff’s office, none of the teens are believed to be in danger at this time. However, officials said it is important that the teens are returned home safely.
“Investigators are working around the clock in attempts to locate these juveniles and will continue to utilize all resources necessary to find them,” the release said.
