KINGWOOD, W.Va. — A missing Lincoln County girl has been found in Preston County.
State police said they began investigating the disappearance of Holly Sanders, 15, of Ranger, on Wednesday. She was found at around 2 p.m. Thursday at the McDonald’s in Kingwood with an 18-year-old boy and a juvenile boy.
Troopers reported that their investigation took many twists and turns. Initially, troopers were told that Sanders was staying with a friend in Milton. State police said they received misinformation when they spoke with Sanders’ juvenile friend and her father, Carson Toppins, 47, of Milton.
Toppins and his daughter reportedly told troopers that Sanders got into a sedan with two unknown men at the Huntington Mall in Barboursville at 7 p.m. that day. That information turned out to be false, Trooper C.L. Lowery told MetroNews.
“It was just misinformation given to us by involved parties,” Lowery said.
Toppins has been charged with providing false information and obstructing an officer. He’s being held in the Weston Regional Jail on $2,000 bail. Charges are pending against his daughter.
As it turned out, troopers said Sanders had not been to the mall and had actually been missing since Monday. Investigators said she was last seen at the Teays Valley Kroger in Putnam County. Lowery said Sanders’ last sighting was in Scott Depot.
Sanders has been reunited with her parents after being found, according to state police.
Troopers said they will work with Putnam and Preston County prosecutors on charges against the 18-year-old boy or the two juvenile suspects.
State police said the investigation is active and ongoing.