Missing Teen Girl Found Engaged to 44-year-old Stranger

July 28, 2024 Justin Peters

A missing teenage girl from Michigan has been found after nearly two months, living with and engaged to a man she had just met, officials announced.

17-year-old Penelope Wise ran away from her Cedar Springs home around on May 31, leaving her family distraught and sparking a widespread search. The Kent County Sheriff’s Office initially reported Penny missing after she was last seen on security footage walking alone near a bar in Rockford around midnight on June 1.

In a surprising turn of events, it was revealed that Penny met her 44-year-old fiancé that same night. Despite her family’s fears and extensive search efforts, which included the FBI, US Marshals Service, Michigan State Police and local volunteers, Penny seemed to have vanished without a trace.

Authorities believed she had left voluntarily but grew increasingly concerned as the weeks passed with no sightings. The search intensified, with additional on-the-ground searches and an open tip line for any information about her whereabouts.

Finally, on a Sunday morning, an observant community member spotted a teenage girl riding a bike and recognized her from the missing persons flyers. The resident called the police around 11 a.m., and investigators quickly responded to the scene.

It was then discovered that Penny had been living with the unnamed man, 27 years her senior, since the night she ran away from home. She met him around 2 a.m. on June 1 and had been staying at his house ever since. The resident’s call ended Penny’s nearly two-month disappearance when she left the man’s home on a bike and was spotted.

The Kent County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Penny was found safe and that detectives are still investigating the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. The Kent County Prosecutor’s Office has not authorized any charges against Penny’s new fiancé.

Penny’s family expressed relief at her safe return but remained concerned about the events that transpired during her absence. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to piece together the full story of Penny’s disappearance and subsequent engagement to the older man.

This is also similar to a case of a 12-year-old girl who disappeared two months ago and later found over 600 miles from home with an older man she met Facebook Messenger.