My good friend Shannon Dueling's son ran away 2 days ago and they haven't heard anything form him. This is the 1st time he has ever done this and both of Austin's parents are really worried. Austin normally goes by AJ and hasn't been in trouble and as far as we know had no real reason to leave. Any help in locating him or letting us know that he is safe will be greatly appreciated. We live in Des Moines, IA and I am attaching a pic of Austin. Thanks for any help possible.

Ok I'm about to go out on a limb, but I think he is fine. Probably spending the days between a friend's house and outside. It will probably be a friend that the parents don't know all that well and would not think to ask. Seems like a good kid, I don't think he had specific reasons, more like teenaged hormones and some built up feelings of anger toward his parents for something, coupled with this friend possibly convincing him not to go home.

Best of luck.

Normally I would be feeling the same way, but the fact that he didn't take his cell phone with him, and he closed his Facebook, e-mail ect is where the concern comes in. I work with his dad every day and his dad is really not in a good place so if anyone has been able to track people over the airways please try and help me out with this. I am going to keep trying scy on our maps and see if I can get a location.

I feel that he really needed to escape his current situation for whatever reason, maybe there are some problems at home and he is tired of dealing with them. I Feel he will probably call or come home within the next few days but needs some time to think things through.By the looks of his pic he is 17 or 18 and he is probably just demostrating his independence.

There is going to be a sizable piece of property that is very overgrown and scrubby. Lots of junky vehicles that are obscured by the weeds. He is probably camping out there.

Does anyone else get the feeling there is a girl involved? Girlfriend perhaps? A positive companion who may know where he is, but may be withholding information thinking its in his best interests. I also get the impression that what first seemed as a good idea is now appearing less appealing. But there is a sense of being caught up in the flow of things.

Just to let everyone know Austin sent an e-mail to his dad, and this was Shannon's post:

Austin contacted us!
Thank god, Austin reached out to us in an email today! He is safe and has had a place to stay every night that he has been gone. He would not tell us where he was but said that he will be home soon! He said he just needed to get out on his own and experience life by himself, and have time to think alone! I am so relieved to know that he is ok and thankfull to everyone that has been so supportive and prayed for him and his safety through this ordeal! Thank you everyone for all your kind words and hopefully I will have my son back soon!

I am hoping to get some more info on him soon.

That's great news!!

Am so happy for him and the family. All our thoughts are with you all.

There is definitely some friend involved. Not sure if it's a female. I wouldn't rule it out. His situation is definitely getting less appealing by the day. Expect a phone call or some other form of communication in the next 2 weeks.