Missing girls found unhurt

HANOVERTON — Two 14-year-old girls face disciplinary action at the United Local School District after they took off into woods behind the school when classes ended Wednesday.

The two girls, both 8th graders, did not get on their bus at 3:20 p.m., according to Chief Deputy Allen Hauter of the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office.

They were found about 8:51 p.m. when one girl went to her grandfather’s house on state Route 172, and the other girl went onto a road and was spotted, officials said.

William Young, the high school principal, said that a helicopter from Stat Medevac in North Lima searched the woods and cornfields behind the school with no success.

The off-duty K-9 officer from the Alliance Police Department also went to the area and searched, also with no success.

Young said he was not sure why the girls took off. He said they have told different versions for their actions.

Young said that the district has a telephone alert system to notify all parents at one time. A message was sent out about the runaway girls that provided some information.