Worcester Teen Runs Away From Camp, Hitchhikes 200 Miles Home
WATERVILLE, Maine (CBS/AP) -- Police in Maine say a 16-year-old girl who hitchhiked 200 miles home to Massachusetts after running away from a cross country running camp in Waterville was essentially playing Russian roulette with her antics.
Waterville Deputy Police Chief Charles Rumsey said the girl left the 28th annual Colby College cross country camp wearing a T-shirt and running shorts.
"No matter how street smart you are, or how wise or tough you think you are, nobody is really capable of assessing the safety of a person that pulls over to the side of the road and offers you a ride," he said.
She was not carrying a cell phone and had no money.
Colby College Security Director Pete Chenevert says the teen had previously told her parents that she wanted to leave running camp and return home before joining them on the island of Islesboro.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Laurie Kirby reports.
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On Tuesday night the girl called her parents from their hometown of Worcester and said she was there.
Rumsey tells the Morning Sentinel newspaper the story could have had a tragic ending.
(Copyright 2011 - The Associated Press contributed to this report. All Rights Reserved.)
