(Corrects timeline of announcement from Wed. to Thursday)

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office alerted the media at around 8:40-p.m. Thursday, that a 13-year old female missing from Anita was located safe, in Colorado. The father of Gracie (Grace) Hensley said in a social media post at around 11-p.m. Thursday, that the family is grateful to the social media community, friends, law enforcement, the CAM School District, and others who helped to search for and spread the word about the missing teen.

Grace Hensley

Gracie was believed to be with 17-year old Zach Calhoun from Georgia when she disappeared. Calhoun was wanted by authorities in Georgia. The pair was traveling in a white Ford pickup belonging to Hensley’s grandmother. Calhoun’s parent’s vehicle was found abandoned in near Anita. On Thursday, Cass County Sheriff Darby McLaren said the case was not considered to be an abduction. The incident remains under investigation.

Grace’ father Wesley Hensley said late Thursday night, he was on his way to Denver, CO., to bring his daughter home. He said neither he nor Grace’s mother Claressa had any idea their daughter would run away from home with a boy she met online. He said “Wednesday morning she skipped school and went with a boy she met online from Georgia. I have never heard of this boy at all( and we do check her accounts from time to time).”

He warned parents to “Please please keep an eye on what you kids are doing online,”and said the family will work with Grace to put their lives back on track.