Crime & Safety
Missing Woodstock Teen Reunited With Family
Erik Festner was located in Nebraska and has been reunited with his family.
The 17-year-old Woodstock boy who was reported missing by his parents earlier this week has been located and reunited with his family.
The Woodstock Police Department made the announcement late Friday evening on its Facebook page that Erik Festner had been located.
"He is safe and healthy," the agency wrote. "Thank you to those who provided support and encouragement to the family."
Festner, 17, left home in the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 9. His mother and stepfather launched a social media backed campaign to locate the teenager.
"I want to thank everyone for their prayers and re-posting of his picture," mother Teresa Chapin said on her Facebook profile. "It was because of these sights that he was found, (and) I whole heartedly believe that."
Chapin added her son was located in Nebraska.
"Our next step is recovery and helping him find himself now that we have physically found him," she added. "He will continually need thoughts and prayers sent his way."
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