'Two years of running from the damn cops': Missing teen comes out of hiding two YEARS to the day after her disappearance - but police let her go because she's now 18

  • Kylie Lawrence took to social media to celebrate her no longer being a minor: '2 years of running from the damn cops. Glad that s***s over with'   
  • Teen, who was reported missing in 2013, had been taken into protective custody by state at some point and had been living with grandmother
  • On Tuesday someone who knew her saw her at a mall and alerted police

By Dailymail.com Reporter

Published: 16:06 EST, 30 July 2015 | Updated: 19:38 EST, 30 July 2015

Two years after a 16-year-old Springfield teen was reported missing, police have located her and let her go because she’s now an adult.

Kylie Lawrence was reported as a missing runaway on July 28, 2013, when she was 16. 

Police found Lawrence on Tuesday after someone reported seeing her at Battlefield Mall in Springfield, where officers found her. 

On July 28, the now 18-year-old posted a message on Facebook in celebration of her legal coming of age on July 13 and to describe how she was found.

Was at the mall: Kylie Lawrence was reported as a missing runaway on July 28, 2013, when she was 16. Police found Lawrence on Tuesday after someone reported seeing her at Battlefield Mall in Springfield, where officers found her

Was at the mall: Kylie Lawrence was reported as a missing runaway on July 28, 2013, when she was 16. Police found Lawrence on Tuesday after someone reported seeing her at Battlefield Mall in Springfield, where officers found her

'2 years of running from the damn cops. Glad that s***s over with. If anyone sees my pictures still hanging around please take them down. lol'

She addressed how she as outed as well, telling a friend, 'I was at the mall yesterday and [an acquaintance] seen me and went running to the cops like an idiot and told them I was there so they came up to me and told me i was still a missing person, then they called the juvenile office and said i was freee hahaha.'

She called the woman who phoned authorities 'nosy' and several expletives. 

In another post she asked people to 'mind your own damn business'. 

Police spokeswoman Lisa Cox says officers confirmed Lawrence was safe, let her know she was still considered missing and then allowed her to leave.

Lawrence was listed as an active missing person in Greene County by the Missouri State Highway Patrol on Tuesday but has since been removed from the list. 

She was none too pleased to have had someone turn her in to police after being spotted in the mall

She was none too pleased to have had someone turn her in to police after being spotted in the mall

Avoiding cops: On July 28, the now 18-year-old posted a message on Facebook apparently in celebration of her coming of age

Avoiding cops: On July 28, the now 18-year-old posted a message on Facebook apparently in celebration of her coming of age

She explained to a friend on Facebook how an acquaintance recognized her at the mall and called authorities, who showed and then let her go

She explained to a friend on Facebook how an acquaintance recognized her at the mall and called authorities, who showed and then let her go

The teen also posted to her new Facebook page this photo of herself blowing smoke with the acronym for 'laughing my a** off'

The teen also posted to her new Facebook page this photo of herself blowing smoke with the acronym for 'laughing my a** off'

She had also been listed on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s website.

Cox told the News-Leader that Lawrence had been taken into protective custody by the state at some point and had been living with her grandmother.

According to Perry Epperly with the Greene County Juvenile Justice Center, Lawrence’s case had been closed prior to her being located but he said the circumstances were confidential.

It remained unclear if Lawrence’s family has been informed of her status. 

According to social media, Lawrence was formerly a student at Parkview High School in Springfield. 

Local police say Lawrence had been taken into protective custody by the state at some point and had been living with her grandmother. According to Perry Epperly with the Greene County Juvenile Justice Center, Lawrence’s case had been closed prior to her being located but he said the circumstances were confidential

Local police say Lawrence had been taken into protective custody by the state at some point and had been living with her grandmother. According to Perry Epperly with the Greene County Juvenile Justice Center, Lawrence’s case had been closed prior to her being located but he said the circumstances were confidential

Ms Lawrence also changed her Facebook cover photo to reflect her new attitude

Ms Lawrence also changed her Facebook cover photo to reflect her new attitude

 

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