There were huge sighs of relief when police officers found two 14-year-olds safe and sound approximately 12 hours after being reported missing — but the youth have a lot of explaining to do.
On Monday, the Australian teens, Callum Schiller and his girlfriend, Crystal Cotton, were dropped off at school but did not attend any classes.
Family members reported them missing later that day.
Callum’s sister and father told NCA NewsWire: “They were dropped off at school this morning at about 8:30 a.m., but they never went in,” adding, “They bought bus tickets to Mount Barker from the Murray Bridge Information Center but weren’t seen on any other CCTV footage.”
Suspicion was aroused when Callum sent strange text messages to his family: “He can’t see; He’s in a boot; He can’t say anything, or he will get hit,” one message read.
Callum did not respond to multiple calls and text messages. Crystal did not have a phone with her. The two had reportedly been dating for approximately two months.
“Crystal’s phone is broken, and she hasn’t had it repaired yet, so it’s just him with a phone,” her mother, Jaime Atkins, told officials.
South Australia Police led a search for the two teens, sharing photos and encouraging assistance from the online community. They noted the teens were “last seen on a bus to the Adelaide Hills suburb of Mount Barker at 10:15 am on Monday.”
Atkins shared with NCA NewsWire that she had no idea where Crystal might be and could not believe her daughter had disappeared.
“I don’t know what they’re doing or where they are,” the emotional mother said, adding the situation is “completely out of character for Crystal.”
Deeply concerned, Callum’s family posted messages on Facebook, asking friends and family to share any information that could help locate the missing couple.
“We have no idea whether he has caught a linking bus or is in Mt Barker,” Callum’s father wrote on Facebook. He added: “Callum is uncontactable.”
At 9:40 p.m., SA Police confirmed they had located the teens unharmed and taken them to a detention center.
Callum’s sister, Ebony Schiller, reported that police found the teens on the corner of East and North Terrace in the Adelaide CBD and transported them to the Hindley Street Police Station where their parents picked them up.
Grateful for a safe return, yet stunned, Callum’s father, Chris Schiller, said he “never [thought] his son would make that kind of joke … [and has never done] anything like this before. It’s very out of character. …We’re very concerned.”
Atkins thanked the police officials and the community for their support, noting their Facebook posts were shared over seven thousand times.
“I am completely overwhelmed with support,” Atkins said.
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