UPDATE: Missing Lakewood High School Destiny Shorter student found ‘safe’ Tuesday morning

By Brian Hews

A missing 15-year old girl from Lakewood has been found safe after an extensive search by local law enforcement officials.

On Monday, Los Cerritos Community Newspaper reported that at approximately 4:00 pm, a special needs student from Lakewood High School was reported missing by her mother.

The girl, Destiny Shorter, failed to return home from school, according to Lakewood Sheriff officials. Her mother told law enforcement that her “mental capacity was that of a 2nd grader. ”

“An extensive search was launched by deputies from the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station. Deputies worked through the night to locate her, following up on various leads, and utilizing specially trained bloodhounds. However, all leads were exhausted,” said Lt. Dan Beringer of the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station.

“This morning at 7:55 am, the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station was notified that Destiny arrived at Lakewood High School. She is currently being interviewed by investigators, but there are no indications of foul play,” Beringer said.

“She left school with a female friend, who is also a student, and spent the night at her home in Long Beach. It appears she believed she would be punished after being scolded by her sister for using a cellular telephone without permission, so she went home with a friend. She has been reunited with her mother, who is very relieved with the outcome,” Beringer said.

Lakewood High School is located at 4400 Briecrest Avenue in Lakewood and is part of the Long Beach Unified School District.

You can partner to prevent or report crime by contacting Lakewood Sheriff’s Station at (562) 623-3500 to report suspicious activity. Or if you wish to remain anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), or text the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637,) or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.