Sheriff: Cab driver who dropped off girl at camp could be charged

The cab driver who dropped off a 13-year-old Mount Vernon girl who went missing outside of Camp Wartburg south of Waterloo potentially could face charges, the Monroe County sheriff said.

Sheriff Neal Rohlfing said his office has issued a nontraffic complaint against the driver, who police say dropped off the girl, Jate’a Lejla Frank. Child-endangerment charges would have to be reviewed and approved by the Monroe County State’s Attorney’s Office.

“I have some concerns why the cab driver, or the company, would transport a 13-year-old two-and-a-half hours away, and drop them off in an area like this,” Rohlfing said. “We do have some concerns.”

Rohlfing said a decision on charges could come at the end of the week.

“Given the circumstances, the age of the child, her demeanor, you should use a little better judgment when you’re dropping 13-year-olds off in the middle of nowhere,” Rohlfing said.

Rohlfing said a deputy was at the hospital to try to get some initial information from Jate’a, but doctors “wanted to focus on her care.”

The sheriff said deputies will conduct an interview with her as soon as she’s fit to handle one.

Jate’a, who went missing after arriving at a camp, was found safe Tuesday morning by a family who lives nearby.

Joyce Mathes and her family, who live near Camp Wartburg on the outskirts of Waterloo, assisted with the search Tuesday and spotted Jate’a Lejla Frank about 200 yards from the staging area.

Mathes said she tried approaching Jate’a and asked her if she was thirsty or hungry. Jate’a shook her head “no” and headed back into the wooded area, according to Mathes, who notified authorities.

Jate’a ran off, and Mathes ran after her. Eventually Jate’a was found in some brush, wet, muddy, scared and not talking much. Emergency workers tended to her.

“I’m just glad she was found,” Mathes said.

As Jate’a was located, emergency personnel had been searching cornfields, which contributed to her going onto nearby properties, Rohlfing said.

“She wasn’t ready to be found,” Rohlfing said. “It seemed like a cry for help. Some of the evidence we’ve seen in the last 12 hours show there may have been other issues going on.”

Rohlfing said Jate’a was in fair condition, but she appeared fatigued and dehydrated.

She was taken to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital by ambulance.

Kelly Barbeau, a hospital spokeswoman at St. Elizabeth’s, could not release further condition updates.

There is no history with the Department of Children and Family Services at Jate’a’s home, Rohlfing said.

Rohlfing said Jate’a stole money from her mother’s bedroom to run away from home. She had been going through some bullying issues at school, he said.

Jate’a took a taxi on Monday from Mount Vernon to Camp Wartburg, paid the $110 fare, and went missing shortly thereafter.

Rohlfing said Jate’a had become comfortable with a counselor at the camp when she spent time there two weeks ago.

Searchers began looking for the girl after her 11 a.m. arrival to the camp on Monday. An estimated 80 to 100 searchers aided by at least one helicopter from St. Louis and several tracking dogs from area emergency agencies assisted in the search. Members of 40 to 50 fire and police agencies helped during the search.

Staff at Camp Wartburg posted the following statement on its Facebook page Tuesday morning: “I am pleased to inform you that the police have located the young lady, she is currently being reunited with her mother and will be taken to the hospital for observation. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. Camp Wartburg appreciates your support during this difficult time. Please continue to pray for this young girl and her family.”

Located southwest of Waterloo, Camp Wartburg is a retreat center and summer camp operated by Lutheran Child and Family Services that promotes worship through outdoor activities and education.

This story was originally published June 30, 2015 at 10:24 AM with the headline "Sheriff: Cab driver who dropped off girl at camp could be charged."