Lawrence teen — missing since May 29 — found in Shawnee County

Police found a Lawrence teenager Wednesday who had runaway from his mother’s North Lawrence home and been missing since May 29.

Sgt. Bill Cory, a Lawrence police spokesman, said officers found 13-year-old Stevie Drake in Shawnee County. Cory did not release other specifics about where or how Stevie was found, other than to say he was not harmed.

“Yep, he’s fine,” Cory said.

Stevie’s mother, Shirley Morriss, filed a police report May 29 after he left the house without permission after she told him that he could not go swimming. Morriss said Stevie had run away before but never been missing for so long.

Family and friends posted fliers with Stevie’s photo in Lawrence and created a Facebook group that has more than 3,500 members.

Morriss’ sister Elizabeth Alvarez Wednesday afternoon posted a message on Facebook notifying group members Stevie had been found.

In a phone interview Alvarez said she had little information. She said Morriss’ attorney, Jim Rumsey, had said the family should post a message saying Stevie had been found.

“We’re getting ready to meet with police,” Alvarez said.

Cory said because the case is classified as a runaway or “child in need of care” case, Stevie will be taken to a juvenile intake facility. Authorities there will make a decision about whether to release him to parental custody, Cory said.