A missing juvenile was safely located Sunday afternoon, October 11, following an investigation by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office that also led to the recovery of a stolen firearm and the arrest of a Brookhaven man.
According to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a residence on Duck Pond Road shortly after midnight Sunday after receiving a report of a missing juvenile female.
Deputies gathered information from family members, began checking possible locations, and alerted surrounding law enforcement agencies to assist in locating the juvenile.
At approximately 12:50 p.m., a patrol deputy spotted a red Chevrolet Camaro stopped along Lower Woodville Road. While checking on the vehicle and its occupants, the deputy recognized the passenger as the missing juvenile.
Investigators determined that the driver, identified as 23-year-old Cortez Hunt of Brookhaven, had reportedly picked up the juvenile in Brookhaven and transported her back to Adams County.
During the investigation, deputies received information indicating that a firearm was inside the vehicle. A subsequent search led to the discovery of a handgun inside a backpack. Authorities confirmed through law enforcement databases that the weapon had been reported stolen.
Hunt was arrested and charged with possession of a stolen firearm. He was transported to the Adams County Jail without incident.
The juvenile was safely recovered and transported to an appropriate juvenile facility.
Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten praised the work of the department’s Patrol Division and Investigative Unit, crediting their coordination and attention to detail for the outcome.
“I want to commend our patrol deputies and investigators for the outstanding job they did in this case. From the moment this juvenile was reported missing, our personnel went to work trying to locate her,” Patten said.
Patten emphasized the importance of proactive policing, noting that the deputy’s decision to check on a stopped vehicle ultimately led to the juvenile’s recovery and the discovery of the stolen firearm.
“Our deputies don’t just ride around waiting for calls. They pay attention, they investigate, and they take action. Because of that commitment, this juvenile was located safely and a stolen weapon was taken off our streets,” Patten said.
Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges against Hunt are possible as investigators continue gathering evidence.
All individuals arrested or accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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