Florida Student Believed to Have Run Away With Soccer Coach Found Safe in New York: Sheriff

Inside Edition Staff
Updated
Caitlyn Frisina was found in New York, according to the Columbia Sheriff.

The 17-year-old girl who was believed to have fled her home with a soccer coach at her high school has been found safe, according to reports.

On Friday afternoon, the Columbia County Sheriff's Office in Florida tweeted that they could "confirm missing Caitlyn Frisina has been located and is safe in NY."

According to the sheriff's office, a New York State Police officer in Syracuse saw the car Caitlyn was believed to be traveling in with 27-year-old coach, Rian Rodriguez.

The officer pulled the car over and took Rodriguez into custody without incident, according to the sheriff's office. Caitlyn was detained and her family has been notified.

Caitlyn, a student at Fort White High School, was last seen at her Lake City, Fla., home Saturday before taking off with Rodriguez, authorities believe.

Surveillance photos had shown the teen and coach at gas stations while making their way north from Florida. It was believed they were possibly heading for the Canadian border.

Speaking to Inside Edition earlier Friday, Caitlyn's mother Scarlet Frisina said she had no idea her daughter had a secret relationship with Rodriguez.

“He has been to our house,” she said. “We felt he was like a great guy, a good guy. It was a great shock to find out that not only has my daughter gone but she had gone with somebody we trusted.”

The mom said her daughter's disappearance was all the more puzzling since she has a steady boyfriend, and they even spent Thanksgiving together.

The teen’s mom says her daughter's boyfriend is "devastated."

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