Update: 12/26/12, 3:43pm
Michaela Dawn Smith was found two days ago, safe and sound, when she turned herself in at a downstate hospital. "It was a Christmas Eve miracle," said her mother, Patty Jo Springberg, earlier today. She's currently being cared for at the Midland County Juvenile Detention Center. Her mother said that court proceedings, about two weeks from now, will determine the next steps.
Posted 11/28/12, 4:10pm
The family of Michaela Dawn Smith Springberg quietly celebrated Thanksgiving last week, but is saving much of their gratitude for the return of the missing teenager. "All we want is to have her come home and get her life straight," said Carl Hawkins, her great-uncle and a resident of Bear Lake. "With her good grades, she can get her first two years in college in Traverse for free. She's as smart as a whip."
The 15-year old was last seen in Grand Rapids two weeks ago. Two of her friends, apparently along for a joyride in her aunt's car, decided their part in the adventure was over. A few days after taking off with her, one of them needed medications and he was dropped off at a hospital. The other friend didn't want to get into any further trouble, said Hawkins. Springberg was driving a dark blue, 1997 Geo Prizm, described as having shiny silver rims and license plate BUD 0116.
Her destination is unknown. At first, it was thought she was headed to Detroit or Dearborn. Her mother, Patty Jo Springberg, said that Michaela's female friend told officers that it was actually Flint or Lansing. "Maybe to see a boy there," said Patty Jo.
Patty Jo is hoping to have more help from local authorities after much frustration and few calls returned. "I talk to the receptionist 90-percent of the time," she said. "They say 'we'll look into that,' but I don't get a response back." Calls to the Cadillac City Police Department and the Wexford County Sheriff's Office requesting comment was not immediately returned. A Wexford County judge recently questioned one of the girl's traveling companions, but didn't discover anything new.
Her mother doesn't know why Michaela ran away this time, but describes it as a chronic problem over the last two years. "She's run away from me 6 or 7 times," and also from foster care homes, she said. A few instances have landed her in jail. "She's told me that she has an urge to do something wrong every two or three months." While Patty Jo has inquired about mental health screenings for her daughter, complications with the courts and Michaela's own resistance have blocked that. Patty Jo blamed past relationships for causing turmoil at home, but said she's living on her own now and ready to welcome her daughter back.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Wexford County Sheriff Department (231) 779-9211
or Patty Jo Springberg at (231) 920-1143.
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