Missing Lakewood High School Student Found Safe

The 15-year-old special needs student from Lakewood High School who went missing Monday afternoon returned to school this morning after spending the night at a female friend's house in Long Beach.

Destiny Shorter was reported missing Monday afternoon after she was spotted leaving the school at 4400 Briercrest Ave. and never arrived home, according to the Lakewood Sheriff's Station.

Lakewood deputies launched an extensive search for the teen, who is considered critically missing because she has the mental capacity of a second grader, according to a sheriff's department statement.

The search continued overnight as deputies followed up on various leads and utilized specially trained bloodhounds. However, all leads were exhausted. 

At 7:55 am this morning, authorities were notified that Destiny arrived at Lakewood High and she is currently being interviewed by investigators, who noted there are no indications of foul play.

"She left school with a female friend, who is also a student, and spent the night at her home in Long Beach," according to the Lakewood Station. "It appears she believed she would be punished after being scolded by her sister for using a cellular telephone without permission, so she went home with a friend."

Destiny has been reunited with her mother, who is relieved about her daughter's safe return.