Girl, 14, Found ‘Safe’ Across the Country 3 Months After Vanishing – ryan

  • The Palmer Township Police Department announced on Tuesday, April 15 that Enci Wu, who also goes by Aubrey, was found “safe without injury” in Jasper, Ga., by authorities, after going missing in January
  • “This announcement, although we’re relieved, is not celebratory, because there’s a lot in front of us yet that needs to be done,” Northampton County District Attorney Stephen Baratta said. “But everyone here in this room, along with her family, are relieved that Enci is without injury right now”
  • After authorities confirmed that Aubrey was found, her mother shared a live video on Facebook, noting that she was “very happy” that her daughter was found. “Finally, relief after 94 days of painfully waiting and wondering, the nightmare is over,” she said

A 14-year-old girl from Pennsylvania, who went missing in January has been found safe, according to authorities.

The Palmer Township Police Department announced in an update on Tuesday, April 15 that Enci Wu, who also goes by Aubrey, was found “safe without injury” in Jasper, Georgia by authorities. The Northampton County District Attorney Stephen Baratta held a press conference discussing the latest information on her case.

“This is very recent right now and we haven’t been able to exchange a lot of information with the Georgia authorities,” Barrata said at the press conference, per NBC News. “At this point, we’re not aware of any charges filed in Georgia, but that investigation is also ongoing.”

“This announcement, although we’re relieved, is not celebratory, because there’s a lot in front of us yet that needs to be done,” he continued. “But everyone here in this room, along with her family, are relieved that Enci is without injury right now.”

A photo of Enci Wu from the Palmer Township Police Dept.

Palmer Township Police Dept.


The teen was reported missing from her home in Palmer Township on Jan. 10. Her mother Jade Wu and her step-father John Gehrmann allegedly told law enforcement at the time that there was tension in the house with parental restrictions, Barrata said, per local news outlet Leigh Valley Live.

Barratta said, per the outlet, that social service agencies have an ongoing probe into the tension in the home leading up to Aubrey’s disappearance and whether it was safe for her to live with the family again upon her return to Pennsylvania. The teen is reportedly currently in the custody of Georgia Protective Services.

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Barrata said that authorities in Georgia were “investigating the circumstances” of how Aubrey got to Georgia and where she has been living in the meantime, according to NBC News. He said, “We are also aware, from the reports, that (she) had been residing for a period of time in Georgia and that she had established some relationships with individuals.”

After authorities confirmed that Aubrey was found, her mother shared a live video on Facebook, noting that she was “very happy” that her daughter was found. “Finally, relief after 94 days of painfully waiting and wondering, the nightmare is over,” she said.

Jade and Gehrmann also set up a social media account called “aubreysNOTfound” to share updates on the case and the search for the teenager. In a seemingly since-deleted video shared to the page, per Leigh Valley Livethe couple “thanked everyone who helped with the search,” and noted that the teen celebrated her 15th birthday on Monday, April 14.

Allentown attorney Jenna Fliszar, who is representing Aubrey, told Leigh Valley Live in a statement: “While I will have more to say when appropriate, my focus right now remains on ensuring that Aubrey is protected and supported. I respectfully ask that her privacy be honored as we move forward.”

The Northampton County District Attorney’s Office, Fliszar and Jade and Gehrmann did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on the case.

The Palmer Township Police Department noted that it is still investigating the case.