Missing Kings Mountain teen located

Star - 6/4/2021

Jun. 4—Shortly after law enforcement agencies held a press conference about a 14-year-old girl, she was found Thursday evening.

Amelia Caroline Upton was found safe, though details of her recovery have were not disclosed as of 7 p.m. Thursday.

At around 9:16 a.m. Thursday, the autistic teen was reported missing from her home in the Groves Street area of Kings Mountain. Her family said she was last seen around 8:30 p.m. the night before.

Police said she has autism and Asperger Syndrome and was considered endangered. A silver alert was issued for her Thursday.

After the search for Upton began, investigators spoke to a business owner whose security cameras caught the teenager walking in the area of King Street and Phifer Road in the early morning hours.

"We are continuing right now to search for her in that area around West King and Phifer Road," said Kings Mountain Assistant Police Chief Chris Moore during the press conference. "At this point we can not say anything other than we know she is on foot."

Police said on Thursday they do not know how Upton got out of her home. Her family home has a fenced in yard and security cameras around the property. As of Thursday, no foul play is suspected in her disappearance.

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