Marietta teen missing for almost two weeks found in Parkersburg
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MARIETTA -- A 15-year-old Marietta boy who ran away in mid-June has been found.
"We are happy to report that Riley has been found safe," the Washington County Sheriff's Office said in a media release on June 28 referring to Riley Brandjes.
According to Chief Deputy Mark Warden, Brandjes was found in a residence in West Virginia.
"Our investigation led us to Parkersburg," Warden said.
He said deputies worked with Parkersburg authorities to find Brandjes.
Brandjes' running away was reported to the Sheriff's Office on June 15. Warden previously told The Times that it looked like Brandjes had snuck out of his Wilson Avenue home during the early morning hours.
On June 17 Warden told The Times the Sheriff's Office had checked several locations for Brandjes and had checked a residence the boy had stayed at for a short time but he was already gone when they got there. Warden pointed out that it was potentially a crime for someone to let Brandjes stay with him if they were not his legal guardian.
The Sheriff's Office posted on Facebook on June 24 that Brandjes was still missing and asked the public for help by calling the Sheriff's Office with information.
"He's in good health," Warden said about Brandjes.
He said he does not know if Brandjes is back at home.
in a June 29 Facebook post, Thomas Prater, who states he is Brandjes' father, states that the boy is home.
"I just wanna let everyone know that Riley is home and safe and we as a family truly appreciate all the love & concern," the post said.
According to Warden, the investigation into Brandjes running away and where he was found is ongoing.
Michelle Dillon can be reached at mdillon@newsandsentinel.com