Chick-fil-A Managers Help Find Runaway Teen in Florida

Facebook, Instagram, and a couple of quick-thinking employees at Chick-fil-A in Florida led to the reunion of a daughter and her worried parents last week.

About seven months ago, 16-year-old Kaitlyn Harp met 19-year-old Daniel Bridgeman online. The two began a relationship that culminated with Kaitlyn running away from home home last Tuesday to be with Bridgeman. After she was gone, Kaitlyn’s parents discovered a note she left them. Tammy and Steve Harp immediately went online and found a picture of the two teenagers. Bridgeman was wearing a Chick-fil-A uniform.

After driving to the Chick-fil-A at the Jacksonville airport, the Harps were connected with another location manager, Lita Fannin.

“It just really hits home,” Fannin told NBC affiliate First Coast News in Jacksoville, Fla. "I have kids at home the same age, and I would hope if that something like that happened with me, someone would act quickly.”

That is exactly what Fannin did. The manager posted the photo of the two teenagers to a Facebook group for hundreds of Chick-fil-A managers. Elio Florin, manager of a Winter Haven location, recognized Bridgeman and immediately contacted him. Florin drove to Bridgeman’s residence to pick up Kaitlyn and return her home.

After disappearing Tuesday, the Harps were reunited at 1:30 am Wednesday.

“Because of their involvement what could have taken days, weeks, or months, only took a matter of two or three hours once they got involved," said Kaitlyn's father Steve. “It is beyond words, as a parent, this is your worst nightmare.”

According to FCN, Bridgeman does not face any criminal charges. Jacksonville Sheriff's Officers were involved though. The 19 year-old drove back with Florio and and Kaitlyn. The Harps say that after arriving, Bridgeman received a stern lecture from authorities.