A missing teenager from Harvey was located by Cook County Sheriff’s Police officers during a routine traffic stop in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood late last month, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident occurred around 11:35 p.m. on July 21 when the Sheriff’s Police Community Safety Team pulled over a Mercedes SUV in the 100 block of West Roosevelt Road because its headlights were not on.
Officers identified the driver as 53-year-old Nathaniel McGee of Chicago and discovered he was driving on a revoked license. An open container of alcohol was also found inside the vehicle.
Details Emerge During the Stop
Because the SUV was going to be towed, McGee and his two female passengers were asked to step out. It was during this process that officers learned both passengers were teenagers, and that one of them had been reported missing out of the south suburb of Harvey. McGee told officers the girls were his friends and admitted to buying them alcohol.
A search of the vehicle turned up additional alcoholic beverages along with suspected cannabis.
McGee was taken into custody and charged with misdemeanor counts including contributing to the delinquency of a minor, driving on a revoked license, and possession of cannabis by a driver.
He was later released after being processed. The Sheriff’s Office reminded the public that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Girls Evaluated and Reunited with Family
The two teens were examined by paramedics on scene as a precautionary measure before being taken home. Authorities have not released additional details about how long the Harvey teen had been missing or the circumstances that led to her being in the vehicle.
The case has drawn a strong reaction online, with many commenters online praising the officers for spotting the situation during what began as a simple traffic violation.
Others raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the two minors traveling with an adult who admitted to supplying them alcohol, with some commenters speculating whether the case could point to a larger issue involving exploitation of minors. The Sheriff’s Office has not indicated whether the investigation is continuing beyond the charges already filed against McGee.
The stop is being highlighted by officials as an example of how routine traffic enforcement can lead to the recovery of missing children. Cook County Sheriff’s Police have not released further updates on the condition or identities of the two teenagers involved, citing their status as minors.