ST. GEORGE — A 15-year-old girl who went missing after her dance rehearsal in St. George has returned home.
Rayne Rekkel Benn disappeared July 26 after leaving a dance rehearsal for Team Raw’s Summer Slam at Washington County Youth Crisis Center, according to her mother, Summer Anderson. The team was preparing for its performance at the Washington County Fair.
Anderson said she contacted the St. George Police Department after Benn, who left for her grandmother’s house nearby, did not return home from the rehearsal. St. George Police officer Tiffany Atkin confirmed Monday that police were investigating the disappearance and had classified Benn as a runaway.
St. George Police Captain Michael Giles told St. George News that Benn returned home Tuesday after she was located by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Anderson posted a statement on Facebook from her daughter on Tuesday evening, where Benn apologized for any worry she might have caused those involved. In the statement, Benn said she had “been struggling” but knew that running away “wasn’t the right way to go.” Benn assured everyone she was safely back at home.
Anderson told St. George News that parents in similar situations should not give up hope and should reach out to as many people as possible. It was Benn’s first time running away, she said, and knowing that St. George has the potential to be a dangerous place for young girls made the situation all the more scary.
“I am certainly glad she is home safe and thank everyone for their efforts to bring her home and for their prayers and support.”
Anderson said Benn was found at a park in Virgin with other teens who were not runaways.
St. George News reporter Mori Kessler contributed to this report.
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