17-year-old runaway found in Cincinnati

AMHERST — A 17-year-old boy who has been missing since Dec. 17 has been reunited with his family.

Keegan Lawcock

Keegan Lawcock, a senior at Amherst High School, who was last seen before bed the night of Dec. 17, was found in Cincinnati at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. He is being held at Turning Point.

His father, Michael Lawcock, said his son is being charged through the Amherst Police Department for being an unruly child. He may face additional charges from the Cincinnati Police Department for fleeing from police officers.

“He ran out the back door, away from four officers,” Lawcock said.

Lawcock credited social media in helping bring his son home.

“It was all over social media and some people spotted him in Cincinnati and called,” Lawcock said. “We have spoken, and I am glad he is home.”

Lawcock said Keegan was seen walking into a house. Notification was sent to Lawcock, who then called Cincinnati police.

Lawcock said his son, who will be 18 in six months, doesn’t believe he did anything wrong by leaving home without permission.

There were no signs of forced entry into their home, and Keegan never went to school Dec. 18, said his mom, Cindy Lawcock.

“We don’t know when he left,” she said.

Cindy Lawcock said several duffle bags were removed from his room, along with a pair of shoes and his iPad. The iPad was not activated to determine the location of the electronic device.

His phone was left behind, and it is unknown if he had any money.

Cindy Lawcock said her son has never acted out like this before, but believes he ran away after a recent fight.

During the next few weeks, the family will be participating in counseling to help Keegan sort through his “teenage issues.”

“I’m glad he’s under 18 because he can get the help he needs, because once he turns 18, there isn’t much else we can do,” Michael Lawcock said of his son. “We need to help each other.”

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