A Stone County teenager who was missing for more than two months has been found.
Haven Shelton, who went missing from her home in the Kimberling City area on June 11 was found safe on August 14 in a city that has not been disclosed.
"The journey she took to get there was wild and she has clearly had a guardian angel with her the entire time," said Haven's mother, Jan, in a post on the Bring Haven Home Facebook post on the day Haven was located. "There are so many things that could have happened, but the good Lord has kept her safe. So many folks stepped up to help a girl clearly in need of assistance. This could have ended in tragedy in so many different ways. We are counting our blessings tonight."
Haven had been the subject of a widespread search during the 64 days that she was missing.
Said Shelton, "We are so thankful for our friends at the Stone County Sheriff's Department, particular Detective Dustin Wells. He has taken this case personally and worked tirelessly now for over nine weeks to bring our girl home. He has trudged through the woods in the heat, followed up on countless leads and drove hours away today to lay eyes on Haven himself and make sure she was safe. He has taken precious time away from his own family and we are just forever grateful to him, to Sheriff Rader for being sure that we had all necessary resources, and their teammates, who jumped in often. There is literally nothing we can do to ever repay these guys."
Shelton continued, "We are thankful for our supportive communities that have continued to show us support, share posts and display Haven's flyer. Lastly, we are so grateful to all of our family and friends that have shown up for us. People that came out and searched with us in sweltering heat, brought meals, checked in regularly and blessed us in other supportive ways."
The Shelton family requests privacy now that Haven has been safely located, explaining that while they were forced to give out some information while Haven was missing, such as the fact that she has psychiatric issues and required medication, in an effort to find her, they wish to keep her story private.
Said Jan, "While we completely understand that folks are curious after having followed her story, this information does not serve any purpose in helping Haven. It is not our story to tell. It is her story."
A new graphic now replaces the Missing Poster that graced the Bring Haven Home Facebook page. It boldly proclaims a scripture that the family is now clinging to, Psalms 147:3 – "He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds."
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