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Missing Burchard teen, daughter found

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BY JOE DUGGAN / Lincoln Journal Star

Friday, Aug 08, 2008 - 11:38:37 am CDT

A missing 17-year-old Burchard girl and her 1-year-old daughter have been found safe and healthy in Mississippi.

Jessica McGinty called the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office earlier this week and told authorities she was in Mississippi, said her father, Raymond McGinty.

Jessica and her 21-month-old daughter, Autumn, were reported missing  June 30.

Story Photo
Jessica McGinty (left) and Autumn McGinty

She ran away from home, Raymond McGinty said. At first, she drove to Ohio with a friend and then eventually made it to her mother’s home in Mississippi.

“I’m just glad to see her safe and see her in person,” Raymond McGinty said Friday from Brandon, Miss., a community east of Jackson.

Raymond McGinty and his ex-wife separated in 1996 and he has had custody of Jessica since she was 5.

While investigating the disappearance, Pawnee County Sheriff Jayme Reed determined the girl had run away. But because she was traveling with a 1-year-old child, safety concerns were especially urgent.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children listed McGinty as an endangered runaway on its Web site.

Raymond McGinty said he and his daughter were spending time sorting out issues to determine their next move. He said he wants to figure out an arrangement so his daughter doesn’t run away again.

He also wanted to extend thanks to the law enforcement agencies and others who helped find his daughter and granddaughter.

“I appreciate what everybody has done,” he said.

 Reach Joe Duggan at 473-7239 or jduggan@journalstar.com.


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glad they are safe wrote on August 8, 2008 12:13 pm:
" glad they are safe. really gave us all a scare in this area! "

 Anya wrote on August 8, 2008 12:57 pm:
" Glad they are safe. "

 Pat wrote on August 8, 2008 1:18 pm:
" Don't let her have custody of her kid until she is more responsible. She should have to be supervised while with the kid until she can prove that she's not a risk to herself or the kid. She probably loves the kids, and that's why she took her with, but it puts the baby in danger being on the run and you never know where this girl will go next.

Regardless, it's a good thing that they are safe. Too many of these stories don't finish in a good way. "

 CS wrote on August 8, 2008 2:30 pm:
" How is she a danger to her child by 'being on the run' to GO TO HER MOTHER'S? For whatever reason she decided to go there, not some crackhouse in Lincoln with a skeezy boyfriend. I think she made a good decision. At 17 with a child she is hardly a 'kid'. This idea that a magic switch goes on in someones' head when they turn 19 in this state, or 18 anywhere else is ludicrous. Your grandparents were getting married at 16-17 years of age and were considered adults. "

 Stop complaining wrote on August 8, 2008 2:37 pm:
" Pat, you people always have something to complain about...you shouldnt be talking or assuming anything about anyone until you have walked a mile in their shoes. Ever hear of that one? "

 pamg wrote on August 9, 2008 12:35 am:
" Maybe, just maybe she had a good reason to run off. Yes, it does appear to be irresponsible, but we don't live in her home either. Maybe it was for selfish reasons, maybe it was for sanity reasons, and maybe it was for safety reasons.......we don't know.
But I hope someone will take the time to listen to her, and give her the love and support she needs. "

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