Published: November 05, 2009 10:47 am      

Missing teen OK, police say

A teenager who had been reported as a missing person by her father in Texas is OK, according to McAlester Campus police.

Gabrelle Deputy, 17, had been reported as a missing person by her father on Oct. 31 in Baytown, Texas, said Baytown Police Det. Iveleth Hernandez.

“She left a note saying she’s going home to McAlester to live with her mother,” Hernandez said earlier this week. She lived with her father in Baytown, according to police.

“She’s 17, technically, she’s considered an adult” in Texas, Hernandez had said. However, “In Texas, parents are responsible for their children until they turn 18 or finish high school, whichever is last,” she added.

McAlester police were asked to aid in the search for the teen.

After an article about the search appeared in the News-Capital, the girl voluntarily came to the McAlester Police Department with family friends on Tuesday, according to police.

Campus Police Lt. Debbie Burrows said the Campus Police became involved at the request of the McAlester Police Department.

Meanwhile, the girl’s father, William Roberts, had traveled to McAlester to try and find his daughter, police said. “We mediated communication between the father and child,” Burrows said.

“She came to the police department and her dad came in,” said Burrows.

“She was safe. She is staying with a family here.”

Burrows said the girl had previously attended McAlester Public Schools and wanted to go to school here again.

According to the agreement between family members, the girl will be allowed to remain in McAlester and enroll in McAlester Public Schools, said Burrows.