Crime & Safety
Missing CA Teen Safe in Salem After Fugitive Grandma Arraigned
Leandra Clarke brought herself to Salem authorities Thursday morning a day after grandmother Kathleen Willett appeared in court.
A missing 16-year-old California girl walked into Salem Town Hall around 9 a.m. Thursday to let authorities know she was "safe" a day after her once-fugitive grandmother was arraigned in court on a felony child abduction charge, according to the Eagle-Tribune.
The Eagle-Tribune has reported that Leandra Clarke entered Town Hall thinking it was the local police station. The paper has also reported that Salem Deputy Police Chief Shawn Patten "didn't know yet what would happen next, but was just glad the teenager was safe" and has been found a day after Kathleen Willett, 59, of Pelham, was in court.
Clarke left her Irvine, Calif., home on June 26 after allegedly being disciplined by her mother, according to OCWeekly.com.
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Willett was held on $40,000 cash bail following her arraignment, and is scheduled to appear in court again on Oct. 3, according to court staff.
Find out what's happening in Salemfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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