Crime & Safety
Polk County Teen Missing For Almost 2 Weeks Found Safe
A 17-year-old teenager who had been missing since Dec. 8 has been located, according to police.
LAKELAND, FL — Update: Mercedes McLeod has been found safe, according to the Lakeland Police Department.
Original Patch Story
Lakeland police officers are asking the public's help locating a missing teenager who was last seen on Dec. 8, a news release said.
Find out what's happening in Lakelandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Investigators said Mercedes McLeod was last seen leaving her Crawford Street home at 5:40 a.m. The 17-year-old didn't show up to school that day. According to police reports, she did pick up a paycheck at her work place in Lakeland.
McLeod is possibly in the Tampa or Plant City area, detectives said.
Find out what's happening in Lakelandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Authorities described her as 5-foot-3, 120 pounds, and has recently changed her hair to a red/orange, short style. She was last seen wearing a gray sweater and gray sweatpants.
If you have information on her location, contact Detective Ali at 863-834-8974 or charlene.ali@lakelandgov.net. Or call the Lakeland Police Department at 863-834-6966.
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