HIGHLAND COUNTY — A previously missing Highland County 18-year-old wished to start a new life outside the area and was unaware of the nationwide search for her before she was found by law enforcement last weekend, Highland County Sheriff Donnie Barrera told News Center 7 Tuesday.
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Officers in another state located and made contact with Madison Bell Saturday and after talking with her, determined she left of her own free will, investigators previously reported. Barrera said the state where Bell was located will not be released by the sheriff’s office, citing privacy concerns.
Bell was found with the person of interest who deputies were looking to speak to about her disappearance, Barrera said. The two had met online previously. The man previously considered the person of interest has not been formally identified.
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Bell told investigators she left her car behind in the church parking lot because it belonged to her mother, and her phone was also left because it could have been traced, Barrera said.
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The investigation into Bell’s disappearance cost the Highland County Sheriff’s Office thousands of dollars including overtime pay for detectives, he said.
“All of this could have been prevented by leaving her mom a note. Or letting her know she was moving on and was ready to go on with her life," Barrera told News Center 7′s Katy Anderson Tuesday.
Barrera added the investigation is continuing and there are subpoenas out to phone companies and Facebook for communication records.