Missing Autistic Teen Found in Texas

OCEAN CITY – A 16-year-old autistic local girl, missing since the wee hours of Nov. 28 was found safe in a suburb of Dallas, Texas at 1:58 a.m. Dec. 3.
Natalie Woollerton was found alone, sitting in the 2009 light blue-colored Lexus sedan she reportedly drove from her residence six days ago. According to Ocean City Police Capt. Steven Ang, an alert police officer in Mesquite, Texas investigating a report of a suspicious vehicle found the teenager. The officer was able to identify the car as the one reported taken by Woollerton when she left Ocean City.
“She was found by herself in the car she had taken from Ocean City,” Ang told the Herald.
Woollerton, who does not have a driver’s license, apparently drove herself to Texas, said Ang.
Mesquite Police Department Sgt. Brian Parrish told the Herald Ptlm. Dustin Chautin found what appeared to be a “suspicious” vehicle parked behind a local Dollar General store. When Chautin approached the vehicle, he found the young woman asleep inside the car.
“She was alone,” said Parrish. “She told the officer she had gotten tired and stopped there to sleep.”
When asked, Woollerton was unable to show police identification.
“As of right now, we have no reason to believe there was anyone else involved until we get a chance to talk to her,” said Ang.
In a Dec. 1 press release Ocean City police stated, “Natalie does not take any medications but may become confused if approached by law enforcement or unknown persons. The release added the teenager was not believed to have a cell phone or cash when she left the residence. “Natalie does not have any driving experience and may be confused when driving on highways.”
According to a Facebook post by Woollerton’s 18-year-old sister, when found by Mesquite police, the teen used her sister’s name, Tiffany when asked to identify herself. Her sister also said Woollerton had dyed her hair, which was not confirmed by local police.
Ang said local police were receiving the same information via social media.
“We’re getting that off Facebook, too,” Ang said referring to her sister’s comments. “The family had direct contact with the Mesquite Police Department and they may have gotten more information from them than we have. We cannot say if it is factual or not,” he explained.
Parrish confirmed Woollerton had initially misidentified herself as Tiffany. He said he could not confirm if the teenager had changed her hair color.
Ang said Woollerton was found safe and healthy and is currently being held in a safe and secure facility in Texas. Parrish told this newspaper Woollerton is being held in the Dallas County LETOT, a facility for runaways pending reunification with her family.
According to Parrish, no charges will be filed against the teen in Texas. The car that she appears to have driven has been impounded by Mesquite police.
“We’re trying to make arrangements now for Mom to go down and get her,” said Ang. “As far as we can tell, she was just living her life, whatever life she was planning to live.”