Missing teenager resurfaces after two years, via Facebook

A TWO-YEAR search for a runaway teen has ended with an odd video, a reunion, and claims he’d “done things that make your jaw drop”.

WHEN 15-year-old Aubrey Jayce Carroll disappeared without a trace, his family

mounted vigils, public pleas and listed him as a missing person, desperate to know his fate.

On May 24, 2016, the 15-year-old left home, ostensibly to visit a friend. He never returned.

This week, more than two years after he left his home in Griffin in the US state of Georgia, Aubrey mysteriously reappeared.

In a video posted on Spalding County Sheriff’s Facebook page, a now 17-year-old Aubrey assured all he was “all right”.

With his hair now grown past his shoulders and a bushy beard, the smiling teen appeared alongside County Sheriff Darrell Dix.

“Hey, I’m Aubrey Carroll,” the teen said, smiling and waving as he looked down the barrel of the camera. “It’s nice to see you all.”

Asked if he had anything to say to the people who have been “praying for you and looking for you”, Aubrey replied: “Nice to see y’all. I’d like to tell you thank you all so much for all your prayers and looking out for my mamma. I appreciate y’all so much. I’m all right. I’ve been smiling and y’all should do the same.”

The video gave no mention of where Aubrey had been for the past couple of years, or why he left.

WHERE WAS HE, REALLY?

In a lengthy press release, Mr Dix revealed an investigation including the local police, the FBI and Texas Rangers had found Aubrey travelling with a group who “basically looked like a group of people from the Woodstock era in their clothing and lifestyle”.

He said investigators had met with Aubrey’s parents on April 10 this year, and showed them pictures of Aubrey and a Facebook page that he had launched under an assumed identity.

“We also found out that over the time since Aubrey left he had no less than five personal contacts with law enforcement agencies ranging from Alabama to Arizona under his assumed identity,” Mr Dix said.

“I’ve been smiling and y’all should do the same,” Aubrey says on the video. Picture: Facebook/Spalding County Sheriff's Office

During his time away from Georgia, Aubrey “travelled extensively on the west coast and mid-west, with a group of people who live by bartering, operating with cash only, and travelling from state to state”, police said.

The April 10 meeting decided not to seek Aubrey out, fearing he’d disappear again, but to wait until he had another law enforcement encounter”.

Because Aubrey was now 17 years old, he couldn’t be legally forced home.

“He had a support group that he was with and all indications were that he was happy and was thriving. He did not appear to be in any danger,” Mr Dix said.

But a family member couldn’t resist sending Aubrey a message that he responded to, and was convinced to call his mum.

‘HE’S SEEN AND DONE THINGS THAT MAKE YOUR JAW DROP’

“Aubrey called his mother and told her that he was ready to come home; however there were certain conditions that he wanted in place, such as who he would talk to and where he would go when he got home,” the statement said.

Assurances he wouldn’t be arrested saw Aubrey head home safely to his mother on Monday night.

He met police the next morning, assuring them he was “happy, healthy and fine”.

“He told us that he left on his own, and had not been abducted, hurt, abused, exploited, or harmed in any way. He did ask that information about the circumstances surrounding this case be kept private,” Mr Dix said.

“There is no indication that he was aided or helped by anyone in this area. All indications are that he did this on his own.”

And it seems Aubrey has a heck of a story to tell, when he’s ready.

“His tale was absolutely amazing. He has seen and done things that make your jaw drop,” Mr Dix said.

“Aubrey and his mum both want to send the message that if you have a missing loved one to not give up hope. Keep praying, keep looking, and keep your faith. Miracles happen.”

Aubrey’s hair grew past his shoulders as he travelled with a group who “”looked like they were from the Woodstock era”. Picture: Facebook/Spalding County Sheriff's Office

Originally published as Missing teenager resurfaces after two years, via Facebook