Missing Southeast Missouri teens found in Mississippi

Two teenagers who had been missing since Saturday night have been located in Mississippi.

Tyler Austin Crider, 16, and Hailey Nicole Haynes, 15, were found Tuesday morning by law enforcement officials in Lexington, Miss., after the two experienced trouble with the 1998 Dodge Dakota truck in which they were traveling.

"Thank God," said Hailey's mother, Amy Bryzcki. "We're relieved that they are both safe and sound. This is the best day of my life."

Tyler of New Madrid County and Hailey of Scott County are believed to have run away together after 10 p.m. Saturday.

Tonya Crider, Tyler's mother, was unavailable for comment Tuesday but had said Tyler stayed at his grandparents' house on Saturday. After his grandparents had fallen asleep, he left a note on his pillow and drove to Hailey's house to pick her up, Tonya Crider said.

Hailey also had left a note and had crawled out of a bedroom window to leave with Tyler, according to Bryzcki.

The sheriff's offices in Scott and New Madrid counties had been involved in the search for Tyler and Hailey since the two were reported missing. New Madrid County Sheriff Terry Stevens said he was unsure what led Lexington police to the Dodge Dakota, but added that Tyler and Hailey were found in a local restaurant.

"After their truck broke down it looks like they walked somewhere to eat," Stevens said. "The Lexington police probably found the truck abandoned and checked its plates to learn a young missing couple had been driving it. They looked around in restaurants for them and there they were."

Stevens said authorities in Mississippi identified Tyler and Hailey and contacted him and Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter.

"We don't know where they were headed," Walter said. "What's scary about the whole thing is that they started out with very little money."

Walter said the teens' parents were immediately notified their children had been found, and family members were traveling to Mississippi to bring them home.

"I can't wait to be reunited with Hailey," Bryzcki said. "We'll get through this."

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

Lexington, Miss.