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A Clemmons teen reported missing last month was found in Ohio. Two adults associated with the disappearance have been arrested. 

According to information from the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office, On Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, deputies responded to 111 Spanish Oak Drive, Clemmons, in reference to a missing juvenile. 

On scene, the mother of the juvenile reported her 15-year-old daughter missing. 

Detectives responded to the scene and began to receive information that the juvenile was in West Virginia. The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office reached out to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations for assistance.

On Christmas Eve, detectives received information that the juvenile may be in Ohio. 

The juvenile was located by the Bluffton Police Department in Blufftown, Ohio, and was found with Manuel De Jesus Ayala-Mejia and Griselda Guadalupe Arias-Vides. 

Davidson County detectives obtained warrants for Ayala-Mejia and Arias-Vides for abduction of a child and felonious restraint.

Both subjects were arrested by the Bluffton Police Department and transported to the Allen County Detention Center in Lima, Ohio. 

During the course of this investigation it was learned that Ayala-Mejia and Arias-Vides are currently out of jail on bond from a previous arrest involving entering the country while bypassing the appropriate border checking station.

On Dec. 27 2023, detectives, deputies, CSI personnel and Sheriff Richie Simmons flew to Lima to attend court proceedings for the juvenile. 

In Ohio, detectives reportedly executed a search warrant on the suspect’s vehicle with the help of the Bluffton Police Department. 

The juvenile was released to the custody of detectives and was flown back to Davidson County. 

Richard Childress of Richard Childress Racing allowed the sheriff’s office to use his aircraft and pilots to provide transportation services to and from Ohio. Because of the generosity showed by RCR, Davidson County detectives were able to continue the investigation in Ohio and return the victim to their family safely without delay.

The Davidson County District Attorney’s Office has authorized the extradition of both subjects and is currently in the process of arranging secure transportation of Ayala-Mejia and Arias-Vides back to Davidson County for further court proceedings, pending further extradition hearings in Ohio. 

The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Bluffton Police Department (Ohio), Allen County Sheriff’s Office (Ohio), NCSBI, and Richard Childress Racing for their assistance in this investigation.

This investigation remains active and ongoing.