Police: Missing Palmer Township Girl Ventured to Lancaster County

A Palmer Township family is feeling a great deal of relief now that their daughter, missing since last Thursday, has returned home safely.

The Palmer Police Department said that Hayley Krauss, 15, had run away from home and was located in Leola, Pa., which is in Lancaster County.

Krauss was found Wednesday afternoon, said Det. Sgt. Timothy Ruoff.

Ruoff said police heard from Krauss's mother who had received a Facebook message from a friend who recognized Krauss.

According to police, Krauss was picked up and stayed in Leola with a friend. Police spoke with her about coming home and she was reunited with her mother. Police said Krauss was fine and that no charges will be filed. The investigation has been closed.

Krauss got off the school bus Jan. 24, stopped in at her Stephanie Drive home and hadn’t been seen until Wednesday.

"The officers and detectives worked tirelessly on this case and did a great job," Police Chief Larry Palmer said Thursday. 

The family had offered a $2,500 reward for her safe return, according to a report in The Express-Times.

Palmer Township police issued a Missing Juvenile Report on the whereabouts of Krauss over the weekend and had entered her into the Missing Persons database.