Hemet Police Locate Missing Girl

A 13-year-old Hemet girl who went missing earlier this week was found in Perris today, apparently unharmed and in the company of a young man, who was arrested, police said.

Brittany Davis was reported missing by her mother Sunday afternoon after she left her house on South Santa Fe Street, saying she was going for a walk, but never returned.

The girl took her bicycle, pet Chihuahua and a backpack -- all of which she had with her when officers located her at a Perris convenience store, according to Hemet police.

A customer at the store recognized the youth from photographs circulated via the media and contacted the police department, said Lt. Duane Wisehart.

Chason Tell, a 19-year-old transient, was with the teen when detectives arrived at the scene, Wisehart said, but it wasn't immediately clear whether Tell had been with her from the time she left home.

He was arrested on suspicion of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a misdemeanor, and booked into the Hemet Jail. Bail information was not immediately available.

Brittany was back home with her family, according to Wisehart.

Hemet police Chief David Brown said the case "involved very dedicated officers and investigators pulling out all the stops and exhausting all leads and resources to locate Brittany and bring her home. On behalf of the Hemet Police Department, I would like to thank the public and especially the Riverside Transit Authority for all of their help with this case."

—City News Service