Missing Gwinnett Girl Found Safe In TN Custody

BUFORD, GA — A teenage girl who disappeared more than a year ago has been safely found in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, Gwinnett County Police said Monday.

Police said Asata Amun, whose father reported her missing on Feb. 1, 2024, disappeared from her Westoak Court home at age 16. Since then, she has been in Tennessee DCS custody under an alias, police said.

The day of her disappearance, a doorbell camera captured Amun running out of her front door, police said in a June update. When she left home, police said she did not take any personal belongings with her.

Police said Amun "was disciplined by administrators at her school" the day before her disappearance. Police did not say what led to the discipline.

Her family members at the time said Amun did not talk about running away before leaving, police said.

RELATED: Search Ongoing For Buford Teen Missing Since February: Police

A Tennessee DCS case manager was able to identify Amun after noticing inconsistencies in her statements, which then triggered the manager to research missing children in Georgia, police said.

DCS then contacted Gwinnett County Police, according to a news release. Arrangements have been made to transfer Amun's custody to the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services, police said.

The details that led to her disappearance are being investigated, police said.

"Detectives extend their gratitude to the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services and the La Vergne (Tennessee) Police Department for their assistance in this case," police said in the release.