CRISFIELD, Md.- Maryland State Police have found the 17-year-old Crisfield boy that was reported as missing earlier today.
Troopers said Elijah Ritchey was last seen at around 10 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 27 before he left his home in Crisfield.
Troopers from the Princess Anne Barrack began searching for Elijah after he was reported missing at about 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. Troopers, with the assistance of the Maryland State Police K-9 Unit and Aviation Command, searched the area for Elijah without success.
Elijah was last seen wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt (black or camouflage), blue jeans and camouflaged Muck boots. He is described as 5-foot-8, approximately 120 pounds, with straight brown hair and brown eyes.
Elijah's mother, Stevie Richey, told WBOC earlier today she was extremely worried about the welfare of her son.
"I feel like my heart has been ripped out of my chest and I'm terrified," she said. "Everyone who knows him knows that this isn't like him. And I want him to know that if he sees this, I'm not angry and I'm not even close to being mad at him." Elijah has since been located and is reunited with his family. His mother says he seems to be in good health and arrived with the same clothes he had on before he left. His mother says they can't wait to continue to build as a family. "I cannot thank the public enough for helping find him," Ritchy said crying.
