Etowah County Parents Charged with Failure to Report Missing Child After the Child is Found Safe in Gaylesville

Etowah County Sheriff’s Office.

T. L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News

ETOWAH COUNTY, Ala. (TWLN) — Two people have been arrested after a missing juvenile was found safe, according to the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office.

A 16-year-old was reported missing by her parents on August 20 and was found safe the following day on August 21 in Gaylesville, according to Sheriff Jonathon Horton. The teen was taken to the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office, where the Etowah County Department of Human Resources (DHR) was contacted.

Ronald Brogdon, 42, and Faith Brogdon, 40, both of Attalla were taken into custody in connection with the case. Records indicate that the parents were aware of the teen's disappearance around noon on August 18 but did not report the teen missing until August 20 at 6:05 pm. It’s unclear why the parents delayed reporting the teens' disappearance.

The teens’ parents were both charged with failure to report a missing juvenile. They were released after each had posted a $1,000 bond. The case is still under investigation.

“This case highlights how critically important it is for parents and guardians to promptly report missing children,” said Sheriff Horton. “Every moment matters in these situations, and delays can put children at unnecessary risk. We are thankful that she was located safely, and this case will continue to be reviewed in coordination with DHR.”

Failure to report a missing child is a misdemeanor charge.