After going missing last month, a teen was found over 1,200 miles from her Florida home.
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Sophia Cover Left Home on July 31
As reported by the New York Post, Sophia Cover was caught on camera sneaking out of her home on July 31. Her father, Rick, shared on Facebook on Aug. 10 that the authorities had found her.
"Sophia was found safe in New Jersey by the FBI, and tonight our family finally gets to say the words we have been praying for: Our girl is safe," he wrote.
In his message, Rick thanked investigators and those who supported his family in their search for his 16-year-old daughter. He specifically called out the Collier County Sheriff's Office and Detective Marisol Rodriguez for their efforts.
The relieved father wrote, "And to this incredible community, our friends, our family, and thousands of people we have never even met who shared Sophia's face, prayed for her, sent tips, made videos, hung flyers, and kept her story alive: THANK YOU."
He then added, "For the first time in what feels like forever, I can finally say this: Sophia has been found. Sophia is safe. From the bottom of this dad's heart, thank you all."
The Teen Was Missing for 11 Days
Rick told reporters that he is going to fly out to New Jersey as soon as he can. He has not seen Sophia for 11 days.
Authorities found the teen staying with friends. He is waiting to hear from the Department of Children and Families about how she traveled so far from home and when he can pick her up.
"We're going to take it a day at a time," he said. "I'm going to go up and get her. We're going to find out exactly what happened."
Footage from the family's home shows Sophia leaving her home on July 31. The reason remains unknown. Rick then led an effort to find his daughter.
"Everybody is looking for you," he said at the time. "And, if you're out there on your own, it's really easy to come home. You can go to any police officer. You can go to any adult that is safe."
