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Amber Alert canceled after teen girl found safe, stepfather still at large

CHESTERFIELD CO., S.C. — A nationwide Amber Alert has been canceled after police said they found 14-year-old Alexis Deas.

Officials told Channel 9 early Monday morning that Alexis was dropped off at a family member's house in Lancaster County.

Investigators said they were still looking for Alexis's step-father, Donnell Melton.

Chesterfield County Sheriff Jay Brooks said Melton took Alexis from school Friday and the two had been camping out in the mountains in Franklin, N.C.

After learning that an Amber Alert had been issued, Brooks said Melton called his father on a disposable phone to come get Alexis. Melton's father met them and took the girl to her mother, who then called deputies.

The sheriff said Alexis was dehydrated and hungry and was taken to a local hospital to be checked out.

Channel 9 spoke with the teenager's family Monday and they said Alexis was released from the hospital early Monday morning and hasn't left her mother's side. They said she's just grateful to be home.

"She said she didn't like being out in the cold, she did not like sleeping on a rock. She said when he saw the Amber Alert he called his daddy and came and picked her up," said Joseph Deas, Alexis's brother.

Deputies said Alexis and her step-father, Melton, had an inappropriate relationship. The FBI and SLED are working with Chesterfield County deputies to find him.

Investigators are following several leads and are hoping to catch Melton at some point Monday. Once he's caught he'll face several charges in addition to kidnapping and interfering with parental rights.

Alexis's family told Channel 9 they believe she is the victim of other crimes.

Investigators said Alexis' mother contacted the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office when her daughter didn't return home from school at New Heights Middle School in Jefferson Friday evening.

"She didn't get off the bus so I called the school and they told me her stepfather had checked her out that morning for a dentist appointment," said Sandra Melton, Alexis' mother. "She never had a dentist appointment."

Investigators confirmed Melton checked Alexis out of school between 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. Friday.
 
Deputies were later told by a classmate that Alexis and Melton planned to run away together, possibly to Texas.
 
"We don't know why Texas," said Sheriff Jay Brooks. "The classmate said Alexis had her backpack stuffed like she was planning on going away."

 The sheriff confirmed the family believes the two may have started an inappropriate relationship and left with the intent of being together.

"A 14-year-old girl doesn't have the capacity to make that type of decision," said Brooks. "We need to bring this young girl home."

The Sheriff added he has no concrete proof or evidence Alexis has been sexually assaulted by Melton or that they in fact engaged in a sexual relationship.

Chesterfield County is still taking the lead on the investigation.

Melton has green eyes, short hair and a full beard. He is 5 feet 10 inches tall and 150 pounds.

Timeline of events

  • Feb. 2: The Amber Alert for Deas is canceled when she is returned to a family member's house. Melton is still at large.
  • Feb. 1: Melton's cellphone pings in Monroe, N.C. 
  • Jan. 31: An Amber Alert is issued for Deas. 
  • Jan. 30: Police said Alexis Deas leaves school with her stepfather, Donnell Melton, between 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. Melton used a fake dentist appointment as an excuse to take Deas from school.

Mother of missing 14-year-old speaks out

Sunday marked two days since there had been no sign of a missing Chesterfield County teenager and her stepfather.

Authorities say Donnell Melton checked 14-year-old Alexis Deas out of school Friday and they haven't been seen or heard from them since.

They say Donnell Melton lied to school officials at New Heights Middle in Chesterfield County and told them Alexis had a dentist appointment.

Authorities say Alexis told a classmate about plans to run away with Donnell Melton, possibly to Texas.

Channel 9 spoke to Alexis' mother about that Sunday.

"They didn't act like it, not around me anyway. She was never here alone with him," says Sandra Melton.

The family believes Donnell Melton skipped town to avoid some upcoming court dates.

Chesterfield County sheriff’s investigators say they've received dozens of tips from the public, but nothing solid about the whereabouts of Alexis and Donnell Melton.

Authorities say Donnell Melton is unpredictable and could be armed.

UPDATE: Call the Chesterfield County non-emergency line at 843-623-2101 with any information. Detectives said Melton is unpredictable and could be armed.

CLICK HERE for the Amber Alert.

Melton is driving a black 1999 Nissan Maxima. The South Carolina license plate number is IUF 593. His cellphone last pinged in Monroe, N.C.

Please call 911 with any information.

Channel 9 reached out to the Chesterfield County School District. A spokesperson said the sign-out procedure at the school was followed correctly and released a statement that read in part:

"Melton was authorized as a person who could sign out and pick up the student. When Melton signed the student out he indicated to the school officials that he was taking the student to the dentist. Late yesterday it came to the attention of the family and authorities that Melton had misrepresented where he was taking the student, and the authorities became concerned about her whereabouts. All indications are that the sign out procedure at the school was followed correctly. Chesterfield County School District Superintendent Dr. Harrison Goodwin said that his thoughts are with the family during this difficult time. The safety and wellbeing of our students is always our first priority."