Vigo County, IN Missing Juvenile Found Safe, 21-Year-Old Arrested

Vigo County, IN – A search for a 14-year-old runaway juvenile ended safely Friday after deputies tracked an associated vehicle to a hotel along U.S. 41, leading to the arrest of a 21-year-old Indianapolis-area man.

According to the Vigo County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded early Friday morning to a report of a runaway juvenile in southern Vigo County. Investigators immediately began looking into the juvenile's movements and people the juvenile may have been communicating with.

Deputies identified an adult who had allegedly been in contact with the juvenile and then connected that person to a vehicle. The sheriff's office said Flock camera technology showed the vehicle traveling into the area to pick up the juvenile and remaining nearby.

That information allowed investigators to focus their search on hotels and businesses along South U.S. 41 in the Terre Haute area.

Deputies canvassed the area and located the associated vehicle at a hotel, according to the sheriff's office. Investigators then checked a room linked to the vehicle's registered owner and found the 14-year-old safe.

Authorities identified the arrested man as Brandon Claytor, 21, of the Indianapolis area. According to the sheriff's office, Claytor was arrested for allegedly contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The juvenile was released into the care of the juvenile's parents.

Sheriff Derek Fell said the investigation remains ongoing as deputies work to determine the full nature of the relationship between Claytor and the juvenile. Authorities said Claytor could face additional charges as the investigation develops.

No additional details about the juvenile were released.