LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA: A 16-year-old girl Aliyah Duncan, who had been missing for a month, was found on October 9 at her boyfriend’s house in Lake County, Florida, where she had been staying since she disappeared on September 5.
Her boyfriend Damion Anderson and his grandmother Debbie Myers, 63, were arrested for allegedly hiding her from the authorities and lying about her whereabouts.
Damion Anderson and Debbie Myers lied about Aliyah Duncan’s location
During the investigation, deputies interviewed several relatives and acquaintances of Duncan, including her boyfriend Damion Anderson and his grandmother Debbie Myers who lived together in a house in Lake County.
The deputies visited their residence nearly 12 times over three weeks, but each time they were met with ‘little information’ and ‘no knowledge’ of Duncan’s location.
The deputies also warned Anderson and Myers of the possible criminal charges they could face if they were withholding information or helping Duncan evade law enforcement.
They were also made aware of the "resources being utilized to locate the juvenile."
"Myers response to that was that she believed the extensive search was becoming 'ridiculous' and that whoever is responsible for assisting the juvenile should be charged," the office wrote.
Aliyah Duncan had been staying at her boyfriend’s house since day one
On October 9, the deputies finally located Duncan at Anderson and Myers’ house where she had been staying since the day she went missing.
The deputies arrested Anderson and Myers and charged them with interference with child custody, providing false information to law enforcement and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
"At the conclusion of utilizing multiple different investigative strategies and extensive resources, the juvenile was ultimately located at the residence of Myers and Anderson.
"She was staying there during the entirety of the time she was reported missing," Sheriff's office said.
Why was Aliyah Duncan staying at her boyfriend's house?
Anderson, who is also a juvenile, was taken into custody and his status is unknown. Myers, 63, was released on the same day after posting a $4,000 bond.
The Sheriff’s Office did not reveal why Duncan was at their house or what her condition was.
The family of missing girl remains silent on her case. Duncan was described as five feet seven inches tall, 120 pounds with brown hair and green eyes.
She was last seen in the area of the 36800 block of Sundance Drive in Grand Island, Florida. None of Duncan’s parents or family members have commented on her case publicly.
However, Lake County Sheriff’s Office told News 6 last week that Duncan had “left on her own accord.”
