The Crenshaw County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday morning that missing teen, Avaughn Ahmad Brown, has been located and returned home safely.

On Monday, Brown, 15, left the area of Wilson Road in Highland Home. Investigators requested the communities help in locating the teen, who was safely reunited with his family Friday morning.

Brown, a 5-foot-7, 120-pound Black male, left Highland Home wearing a black Champ hoodie, Adidas sweatpants, and black Puma slippers.

According to investigators, Brown has visible tattoos, “Asia” and “Shirley,” on his right forearm.

Crenshaw County Sheriff’s Investigator Chris Stewart said a variety of factors impact families today, leading some teens to feel running away is their best option. While this is not the case with every missing teen, Steward acknowledged families face unique challenges which impact their teens.

“Parents battle social media influences from their child’s friends,” Stewart said. “Unfortunately, sometimes society wins, and parents are stuck in a rut and can’t get a child out of it.”

Issues with discipline and authority become factors, especially when friends don’t appear to listen to their parents, Stewart said. Social media trends and challenges can exacerbate the situation.

“This is the second child [who has runaway] in the last couple of weeks,” Stewart said. “Children are very impressionable. Parents and educators battle society’s influence. Parents can be held accountable for their children’s actions, whether the child is in their presence or not. We need to be mindful of what children are doing because their actions can cost parents penalties or jail time.

“We don’t want kids to go to the juvenile detention facility. We want to help them settle a situation before it comes to that.”

To report information regarding a missing person, please contact the Crenshaw County Sheriff’s Office at (334) 304-8613.