Located Safely: Will Michael Ricci, 16, New Brighton, MN

New Brighton teen, missing since Friday, is found

By Sarah Horner
shorner@pioneerpress.com

Posted:   12/26/2012 12:01:00 AM CST

Updated:   12/26/2012 08:59:11 PM CST

Police are asking for the public's help in locating Will Michael Ricci, 16. Ricci has been missing since the early morning hours of Friday, December 21, 2012. (Courtesy to Pioneer Press)

A 16-year-old boy from New Brighton missing over Christmas was found unharmed in an abandoned residence in Mounds View on Wednesday, Dec. 26, his family reported.

Cellphone locator technology, along with leads provided by the teen's friends, helped New Brighton and Mounds View police find Will Michael Ricci just after 1:30 p.m., according to New Brighton Police Chief Bob Jacobson.

He reportedly had been staying at the homes of two of his former football teammates before one of his friends told police of his whereabouts, said Manuel Rodriguez, Ricci's stepfather.

He was found in an abandoned trailer.

"It is a huge relief," Rodriguez said. "But now comes the second part of figuring out what the problem is and all that kind of stuff."

Ricci ran away early Friday morning, Rodriguez said. His mother, Janet Rodriguez-Ricci, awoke to find his bed empty and a window open.

With Ricci missing, his family spent Christmas at home surrounded by relatives who came over to provide support.

"There is no word to describe that, especially when (his) mom has a different look on her face and you can do nothing about it," Rodriguez said.

Neither he nor Ricci's mother had spoken to the teen as of Wednesday evening, when police had him in custody for trespassing, Rodriguez said.

They hoped to have him transferred to a hospital Thursday for a psychological evaluation, Rodriguez said, noting the teen suffers from anxiety and panic attacks and had been off his medication since at least the time of his disappearance.

He doesn't know what provoked his stepson, an older brother to two siblings and a young brother to a third, to run away.

"He is an amazing kid. He loves his family. ... This is completely unusual," Rodriguez said.

Sarah Horner can be reached at 651-228-5539. Follow her at twitter.com/hornsarah.

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_22262899/new-brighton-teen-missing-since-friday-found

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