CLINTON, N.J. (Hunterdon County) — K-9 Tapko of the Clinton Township Police Department located a missing 15-year-old late Monday while assisting Town of Clinton police in a search after the teen ran into a wooded area during freezing weather conditions, authorities said.
According to the Clinton Township Police Department K-9 Unit, officers responded at about 11:58 p.m. Dec. 15 to the area near a Krauzer’s food store to assist in the search for a runaway juvenile. Police were told the teen had fled into a wooded area approximately 20 minutes before officers arrived.
Authorities said the teen was not dressed appropriately for the weather, with temperatures around 20 degrees Fahrenheit and a wind chill near 15.
Clinton Township police deployed K-9 Tapko to track the teen while officers searched nearby areas and gathered additional information. About 25 minutes later, an additional Clinton Township K-9 was deployed to assist in the search.
Police said K-9 Tapko located the teen a short time later. The youth was cold but otherwise unharmed and was escorted out of the wooded area to a roadway, where Town of Clinton police took custody and returned the teen home.
Authorities said the coordinated response between neighboring police agencies led to the safe recovery of the teen.
