MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) – The vacationing teen who went missing in Myrtle Beach after taking trash from her hotel room left with a North Carolina man with whom she had developed an online relationship, according to police.
Lt. Joey Crosby says officers responded to the Palace Resort at 1605 S. Ocean Blvd, on Saturday. Crosby says officers learned that 13-year-old, Jalene Olivia Coward, and her family were in Myrtle Beach on vacation.
At approximately around 9:00 p.m., Jalene left the room to take the trash to the trash chute and she did not return. Police say Jalene and her family were preparing to visit an arcade prior to her disappearance.
Myrtle Beach Police immediately issued a missing persons report to the local media in search of Coward. In addition, police released information on two vehicles of interest in the missing teen case. The teen was located Monday in North Carolina, and Lt. Joey Crosby says investigators learned an online relationship had developed between the juvenile and a subject who lives in North Carolina. At this time every indication is that the juvenile left voluntarily, however the investigation is ongoing.
