A teenage girl from Georgia ran away from home and changed her name after an argument with her father almost a year ago. On Monday, March 17, police in Gwinnett County reported that she had been located and is safe.
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The Gwinnett County Police Department posted about the good news on
Facebook. Asata Amun was 16 years old when her father reported her missing on April 18, 2024. The police force later updated the post, saying Amun was last seen by a doorbell camera leaving her house on February 1. School administrators reportedly disciplined her that day, which may have provoked her to leave the house. She allegedly left the residence barefoot and without any belongings.On March 17, the police updated the post again. They explain, 'She has been in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Children's Services since February 2024 under an alias. A case manager at the Department noticed inconsistencies in Asata's statements. The trail eventually led back to Gwinnett County.
According to a report by WSB-TV, Asata's mother, Jasmine Dominique, said she was 'stunned' when she learned her daughter was safe. "I dropped the phone when I heard it. I couldn't believe it," she said.
The Georgia Teen's Sisters Were Removed From The Home By Protective Services
Asata's father, Kwabena Amun, reportedly told WSB-TV last year that she ran away from home after he threatened to send her to military school. Authorities say Kwabena screamed to his daughter, "So you are just going to run like a coward, Asata." Dominque told the outlet that she called the last time she ran away. "She knows my number; she could have sent me a message," she said.
Police searched the family home for clues indicating where she may have gone. The outlet also explains that Department of Family and Children's Services removed both of Asata's sisters from the residence after their father allegedly physically abused them.
Asata has also reportedly complained of abuse, which her father has denied. The report by the Gwinnett County Police Department states that an investigation into Asata's disappearance remains active. She is due to be transferred to the Georgia Department of Family & Children Services.
