Missing Hillsborough teen found in South Florida with 38-year-old man she met online

TAMPA, Fla. ( WFLA ) — The 13-year-old girl who was reported missing Saturday after she vanished from her Plant City home was found in South Florida Tuesday following a dayslong search.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the girl was reported missing after she left her home without permission sometime between 1 and 3 a.m.

Following her disappearance, the sheriff’s office listed her as an endangered missing juvenile, prompting the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to issue a statewide missing child alert.

After nearly a week of searching, the teen girl was found in Broward County with 38-year-old Edward Rodriguez. Deputies said she met the man online.

“We are immensely grateful that this young girl has been found,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “I want to extend my deepest thanks to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals for their quick and effective support. Our joint efforts have brought a young girl home to her family, and that is what truly matters.”

Rodriguez was taken into custody and is facing one count of interference with child custody with possible additional charges from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office.

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