Crime & Safety

Missing Gwinnett Teens Found in New York

Police in New York have confirmed Jacob Mitchell and Samantha Aldana have been found and will soon be back home in Georgia.

Two Gwinnett teens who ran away a week ago have been found and will soon return home to Georgia.

Our colleague Joseph Kellard at Long Beach Patch reports Long Beach, NY, Police have located 15-year-old Jacob Mitchell and 17-year-old Samantha Aldana of Duluth. "They have been located," said Patti Salerno, public information officer for the Long Beach Police Department in an email to Long Beach Patch. "They are safe, and we are working on getting them back to Georgia."

Mitchell's mother Katricia said her son is now in a hospital in New York. Jacob suffers from depression and has been without his medication. "I am relieved but still scared and worried about the road ahead," said Katricia Mitchell. His mother tearfully told Lawrenceville Patch she was scared that she would get news that they did not find him alive. She said she still cannot believe that this ordeal is over. "When I actually see him and put my arms around him, then I will know it's real."

Find out what's happening in Duluthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Jacob Mitchell and his girlfriend Samantha Aldana were last seen April 27. Aldana's mother said the two made off with her 1996 Toyota Camry. The teens drove to New York were they ended up at Aldana's aunt and uncle's house in Long Beach, NY. But just hours later, .

Katricia Mitchell said her son was very protective, and felt his girlfriend Aldana could not go off on her own.

Find out what's happening in Duluthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

During the search the Mitchell family and friends created a Facebook page called "Finding Jacob." Katricia Mitchell says the kind words and support helped her through this rough time. "It brings me to my knees. I thank God for all these people who don't know me, my son or Sam," Jacob's mother told Lawrenceville Patch. "It restores my faith in humanity."


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