Missing Aberdeen teen found safely in Michigan

A missing teenager from Aberdeen has safely returned home. Aberdeen Police Department reported 15-year-old Samantha McClary missing on Jan. 25. She was last seen at Hawthorne of the Pines Apartments on Jan. 24.

A citizen found Samantha’s phone on the road near the apartment complex and gave it to the police.

On Jan. 26, the Aberdeen Police Department said, “Since the original report, Samantha’s family and friends have been in close communication and are cooperating with all efforts. Aberdeen Investigators, along with officials with Fort Liberty Criminal Investigations Division (CID) and agents with the FBI, have been thoroughly investigating all incoming leads. At this time, it appears that Samantha left voluntarily from her residence. As of now, we have no evidence to indicate that she is endangered.”

Aberdeen Police Department, the FBI, and Fort Liberty CID continued to follow leads.

“Eventually, a lead was obtained that indicated Samantha was believed to be in Michigan,” said the Aberdeen Police Department in a news release on Jan. 28. “After additional assistance from FBI Agents in Michigan and the Sterling Heights Police Department in Michigan, it was confirmed that Samantha was located and was in the custody of Michigan Law Enforcement. Arrangements were then made between the FBI and Aberdeen Investigators, to return Samantha to North Carolina. On Monday, January 28 at 1:00 am, Samantha was returned to the care of her family, at which point she was removed from the National Database as a missing juvenile.”

Additionally, due to the juvenile’s age and her legally not being able to consent to being transported to Michigan, warrants were obtained by the Aberdeen Police Department for felony second-degree kidnapping on Isiah Steed, 18, of Sterling Heights, Michigan. On Jan. 27, Steed was taken into custody by the Sterling Heights Police Department and FBI. This is still an active case which is continuing to be investigated, said the Aberdeen Police Department.

Missing Aberdeen teen found safe in Michigan
Isiah Steed is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Photo via Aberdeen Police Department.

“We want to thank each of the above agencies for all of their assistance in this case,” said the Aberdeen Police Department. “We also want to additionally thank the Southern Pines Police Department, Raeford Police Department, Raleigh Police Department, and the NC State Bureau of Investigations for their assistance in providing crucial remote assistance in following up on leads.”

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