Teen Missing 4 Months Found Hiding In Chicago Basement: U.S. Marshals

CHICAGO — A 15-year-old girl, who went missing in September, has been safely located. According to the U.S. Marshals, the teenager was found in Chicago earlier this month.

Police said the minor was taken to Comers Children's Hospital for further medical evaluation before being safely returned to her legal guardian.

On Sept. 22, 2024, the teenager was reported missing by her legal guardian, a Chicago resident that had been awarded custody of the minor after her mother passed away. The teen's father had been deemed unfit to take care of her. Initial information provided by the legal guardian suggested that the minor ran away to Lafayette, Indiana. U.S. Marshals tell Patch that the teenager is from there.

On Jan. 1, the United States Marshals Service in the Northern District of Illinois (Chicago Division) Missing Child Unit were made aware of the case and offered their assistance to the Chicago Police Department. Police said the investigation required immediate attention due to a belief the child could possibly be in danger of sex trafficking.

On Jan. 2, further investigation by the Chicago Police Department's Special Investigations Unit and the Internet Crimes Against Children unit revealed a possible address for the minor in Chicago. On the same night, Deputy U.S. Marshals, Chicago police, and investigators with SIU/ICAC traveled to the identified address in Chicago to locate her.

Upon arrival, investigators said the apartment was under very poor living conditions with another resident inside. After further investigation, and after conducting an interview, investigators were able to determine the teenager was somewhere inside. A subsequent search of the apartment led investigators to safely locate her hiding in the basement storage area behind a water heater.

Police noted that though the living conditions inside the apartment were very poor, the minor appeared to be in good health.

Police tell Patch no arrests have been made at this time.