Missing Student Located in California

Hunter D. Barnes (The Herald/Submitted Photo)

Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong announced today that a missing 17-year-old William Blount High School student was located in California, safe and unharmed.

Hunter D. Barnes, 17, was located Wednesday morning by the Santa Monica Police Department. Information from them is that he is safe and unharmed. The Blount County Sheriff’s Office is assisting the Santa Monica Police Department, the states of California and Tennessee, as well as Blount County Juvenile authorities for his safe return to Blount County.

Hunter was reported missing to the Blount County Sheriff’s Office by his mother, Karen Click, on June 14.

“We would like to thank everyone for their assistance and support in helping to locate Hunter,” Sheriff Berrong said. “The Sheriff’s Office, along with Hunter’s family, are very appreciative of the level of support and compassion from the community to help locate this young man.”