Missing Girl, 17, Found Safe as Police Say She ...

After safely locating a 17-year-old girl who had been missing for two months, police revealed they found her living with a 44-year-old man and that they were engaged

Published Time: 24.07.2024 - 23:31:05 Modified Time: 24.07.2024 - 23:31:05

After safely locating a 17-year-old girl who had been missing for two months, police revealed they found her living with a 44-year-old man and that they were engaged.

Penelope "Penny" Wise was reported missing after she was last seen leaving her family's home on foot on May 31 around 6:00 p.m. local time, according to the Kent County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO).

Before she was found, Wise was seen on camera walking alone in Rockford around midnight on Saturday, June 1 — and throughout the investigation, police said they believed she "intentionally walked away from home" and that they did not have any information to suggest foul play.

In an update on Sunday, July 21, police announced that the teen had been "located safe."

"The initial investigation revealed that Penny was living with an older man in a home, in the City of Rockford." police said, noting that they were able to find her after a community member saw Wife leaving the home on a bicycle and then contacted police.

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In an update on Monday, July 22, police shared that investigators learned the "older man" was 44, and that the pair, who had been strangers, met around 2:00 a.m. local time on June 1 , just hours after Wise was last seen.

They went on to say that the pair began living together that same day and that investigators "also learned that Penny and the man were engaged."

The age of consent in Michigan is 16.

Speaking with local ABC affiliate WZZM, police said that Wise left home following a “disagreement” with her parents, and that police believe she was stayi -

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ng with the man willingly – and that they met by “happenstance.”

“They never had any connection. There was no digital trail that we could have followed that would have led to this location,” said Kent County Undersheriff Brian Muir. “They just happened to meet each other and have a bond.”

On Tuesday, July 23, police confirmed to PEOPLE that the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office "has decided not to pursue charges against the 44-year-old man at this time."

Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker told FOX affiliate WXMI that although the case was “clearly troubling,” their office “can’t just charge things that we find troubling.”

The possible charges that they looked into included harboring a runaway and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, the outlet reported, however, because Wise was 16, those charges couldn't apply.

“We have to follow the law, and that’s what we did,” he added. “We were just left without anything to charge.”

Speaking with WZZM on July 22, Muir said that the teenager was still in custody, but that they "really can't get into what she's in custody for, because she is a juvenile still in the eyes of the law."

Muir added, "We're just trying to connect her with services before she makes it back home."

When reached for comment by PEOPLE on Wednesday, July 24, Wise's mom said that the family is "happy" their daughter was found, but "saddened by the choices she made."

"We are thankful for all the Law Enforcement and the hours they put in searching for our daughter," she added, noting that she was still being detained at a Juvenile Detention Facility and they have yet to see her.