Atlanta teen found in North Coast city

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Nov 28, 2006

SFO -- Authorities confirmed Monday night that a 14-year-old Atlanta boy on a school trip reported missing from San Francisco international Airport had been located in Fort Bragg on the North Coast.

According to San Francisco Airport Duty Manager Dennis Neves, the boy was first at his brother's house in Fort Bragg. "The brother has been in contact with the police," Neves said, adding that the teen was "in good shape" and had been turned over to child protective services, because he was a runaway.

Police searched for the boy, identified as Mark Ross, after he disappeared Monday morning before he was to board his connecting flight.

Ross flew in to San Francisco International Airport from Honolulu and was supposed to board a flight to Detroit, later continuing on to Atlanta. He was last seen leaving a security checkpoint at the airport around 6 a.m., SFO spokesman Mike McCarron said earlier Monday.

According to Sgt. David Johnson of the San Francisco Police Department Airport Bureau, Mark, who was traveling with his school band, approached an adult instructor and asked if he could go to a store inside the airport to purchase something. Mark was reportedly overheard stating that he did not want to see his father.

An airport security camera captured Mark leaving the checkpoint line on his own with his backpack and trumpet in tow, Johnson said late Monday afternoon.

He said airport officials and police combed SFO in search of the teen.

A friend of Ross reportedly received a text message from Mark around 12:30 p.m. that read "Goodbye," police report.

"There's no foul play," Johnson said. "He's a runaway at this point."