AVON — A nationwide search for two missing Avon teens ended late Thursday afternoon when authorities in Colorado took them into custody.
Jordan Webb, 16, and Levi “David” Briggs, 15, left home voluntarily nearly a week ago in a 2006 black C350 Mercedes belonging to Webb’s father, Russell Webb. Neither of the boys has a driver’s license.
According to a family member, the boys had ditched their cell phones and got new ones, which they used to call a friend back home. Police were then able to locate the cellular tower associated with the calls and a joint effort between Colorado and Avon police led them to the Mercedes at a home where the boys were staying.
“We were just relieved to know that some of our fears were put aside and we’re just elated that he’s safe,” said David’s mother Janice Briggs upon hearing that their son had been found.
Briggs’ father, Paul, said the Avon community had been very supportive during their ordeal.
“My emotion was that I was elated when they found my son was safe,” he said. “I’m so happy that he’s found and I realize we have a journey in front of us, and we will stand by our son in a supportive role and help him toward making decisions for his benefit.”
“I stayed up until 4 a.m. and used the time to thank people who followed up on Facebook. I’m thankful for that.”
The elder Briggs said he went to Prestwick Country Club in Avon to thank the Avon High School girls’ golf team, who wore blue in honor of the hopeful safe return of their fellow students.
Jennifer Hurtubise, Webb’s sister, added, “We were beyond excited. It was a surreal moment. This was the best possible outcome. The worst case scenario keeps playing in your head.”
The family said the boys were at the home of a friend whom Webb had met at one of the adventure and hiking camps that he attends. They were watching a movie when they were found.
Hurtubise said that Webb was in good spirits.
The families are making arrangements to fly to Colorado to bring the boys home.
The names of the people they were staying with had not been released as of press time.
The missing teens, who left with camping gear, sparked a nationwide search as friends and family had told authorities that the boys may have been headed for Colorado, Tennessee, or New York.
The families of both boys had given a video recorded interview to the Hendricks County Flyer and a local TV station on Thursday, pleading for the boys to come home and for anyone with information as to their whereabouts to come forward. Just as the video was being uploaded to the Flyer website, the families received word that their sons had been found. In light of that news, the Flyer staff decided it would be inappropriate to show the emotionally charged video.
When the Hendricks County Flyer broke the story of the missing teens on Aug. 28, both families said that their leaving “came out of nowhere.” The boys had gone to dinner last Friday evening with Russell Webb and had made plans for breakfast the next morning. When the senior Webb awoke Saturday, he found the boys and his car were missing.
As of press time, no charges had been filed against the teens.
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