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Missing Bend foster teen located after second disappearance

Mercedes 'Bo' Dunnington
Oregon DHS
Mercedes 'Bo' Dunnington

(Update: Teen found)

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Oregon Department of Human Services Child Welfare Division said Tuesday that a 16-year-old who went missing from foster care in Bend on Friday, for the second time in two weeks, has again been located.

The agency said Mercedes “Bow” Dunnington, 16, who they said was "believed to be in danger," was found on Monday, and said it "is thankful for the community support to find" her.

ODHS had asked the public for help in the effort to find Bow and to contact 911 or local law enforcement if they believed they saw her.

In the alert, DHS said Bow is known to spend time at the local parks, gas stations and homeless encampments in Bend. She also goes by the name Katie. 

A small number of children in foster care may be in significant danger when they run away or have gone missing, the agency said.

"As ODHS works to do everything it can to find these missing children and ensure their safety, media alerts will be issued in some circumstances when it is determined necessary," DHS said. "Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child."

Dunnington previously went missing from Bend on May 15, prompting a public alert, as she was believed to be in danger, and was found on May 21, the agency said.

Report child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).  This toll-free number allows you to report abuse of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. 

Article Topic Follows: Bend

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