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Missing woman appears in Lake Wales

Reported missing Aug. 18, she was dropped off at a police station early Saturday.

By TIMES STAFF WRITER
Published August 27, 2006

TAMPA - An 18-year-old woman who was reported missing for more than a week is in good condition at a detention center in Lake Wales, according to Tampa police.

At 11:30 p.m. Friday, police say the detective investigating Andie Araya Morrell's disappearance received a phone call. It was a friend of Morrell's, relaying a message from Morrell that she was safe.

At 2:30 a.m. Saturday, police say the detective received another call - a unidentified man had dropped Morrell off at a Lake Wales police station. News coverage of the disappearance prompted him to bring her in, said Tampa police spokeswoman Andrea Davis, but he left before authorities could question him.

It was not known if Morrell was staying with the man who dropped her off. The detective will interview Morrell on Monday to seek more answers, but police say it is too early to rule out foul play.

Morrell was held in juvenile detention because there were some warrants out for her arrest for "very minor" juvenile offenses, Davis said. The warrants were not issued in Tampa and were not related to her disappearance, she said.

On, Aug. 18, police say Morrell called and told a friend that she was afraid for her life and being held against her will. Then, the phone went dead.

Morrell was dancer at Springs Bar strip club, 8123 N Nebraska Ave. Surveillance video captured her leaving the club and getting into a car with two men about 7 p.m. Aug. 10.

[Last modified August 27, 2006, 01:30:07]