Madison Bell, a Highland County teenager who “disappeared” in May, casually spoke on social media, stating it was her choice to leave.
As the comments flowed during her live chat, remorse was not in her tone.
Bell, 18, went told her mother she was leaving to go to a tanning salon on Sunday, May 17, and had not been since. She said she left with a change of clothes, ID, her social security card, and $50. Bell said that she ditched her family and a live-in boyfriend to start a new life in another State.
She was found with a man who was considered a person of interest in her disappearance. It has been reported that they had an online relationship for several years prior to her leaving.
“I did not want that relationship at all, it was forced. I remember I told my mom that when I’m 18, I’m not going to date him anymore”.
Madison Bell has not spoken with her mother since she left home.“I kind of am afraid if they come find me but they can’t do anything because I am 18– so, it was my choice to leave,” she said.
The Highland County Sheriff says the investigation is still open, as they finalize some information. According to the Sheriff, the cost to their department was nearly $4,000 in “manpower overtime”. Of course, this does not include the time spent by Greenfield Police, resources from neighboring Ross, Adams, and Scioto counties, countless hours provided by hundreds of volunteers, There has been no comment as to the costs incurred by the professional search groups Rescue 101 Search and Rescue, Texas Equusearch
People from several counties were desperately searching for Bell. The tone is now mixed on opinions of how and why she made the choice to disappear in a manner and method that would lead them to believe she was abducted. The Highland County Sheriff has stated they are not considering the option of pressing charges. Adults are free to come and go as they please.
How they choose to leave is more a matter of personal integrity and not a legal issue.
