Gracie Hewartson, the 15-year-old Hopkins girl reported missing since last Friday has been found safe and in reasonable health in Warwick, Rhode Island.
WMXI-TV Channel 17 reported she was found Tuesday afternoon with a 43-year-old man she met on line through Instagram. The man, was arrested by police in connection with alleged sexual assault.
Charles Morancey, 43, was taken to jail and is expected to be arraigned Wednesday on two counts of being a fugitive from justice and four counts of third-degree sexual assault. Warwick (R.I.) police were tipped off by a West Michigan law enforcement agency and staked out the house, where they found Morancey. His bond was set Wednesday at $125,000.
The Allegan County Sheriff’s Department is continuing the investigation.
Authorities believe Gracie was picked up by Morancey in his car. WXMI reported she walked out of her room, passed her father in the family living room, and walked out of the house Friday. Darrin and Micki Hewartson of Hopkins, her parents, said they first thought Gracie had run away to be with a friend. However, after talking to her friends, they began to hear about her being picked up by an older man.
Charles The suspect was said to be communicating with her through Instagram, indicating he would take care of her.
