UPDATE: Missing Teen from Conway Found

Update: Lidia Mendez, the runaway 14-year-old from Conway, was found safe Friday in Maryville, TN, south of Knoxville. Police say she will soon be in the custody of her legal guardian and returned to Conway.

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CONWAY- Conway Police are asking for help finding 14-year-old Lidia Mendez.

She was last seen Saturday, March 9th. Her family says she ran away from home because they took her smart phone away. Police say Mendez ran away about a month ago for the same reason, but was found the same day at her pastor's house. This time, police and her family say it's different. Det. Brian Williams says no contact with family, friends, or her school since last week is causing serious concern. "Anytime a child of that age is not under the care of a parent or guardian I feel they are in danger. They can make poor decisions, they can get sick or cold, or someone could take advantage of them."

Lidia's mother Joan Cornwell describes her daughter as a good student, very intelligent, who likes to read. "She's very family oriented. She loves family. We love her and we're missing her."

Conway Police say Mendez left home with her backpack full of books and a phone, but no calls have been made on the phone.

Mendez recently moved from her mother's house in Morrilton to live with her older brothers in Conway. The family says the transition hasn't been easy. Cornwell says they discovered Lidia communicating with older men online.
That's why they took her smart phone away. "For safety reasons we were concerned about her speaking to older men, unknown men, men we do not know."

The family says it's unlike Lidia to go this long without calling anyone or updating her Facebook page. Det. Williams says he fears something is wrong, but there isn't a lot of information to go on. "Communicate with your children. Know who they're with, and who is influencing them. Who they're communicating with on the outside world is very important."

Cornwell and Lidia's brothers are passing out fliers and doing everything they can to get her back safely. "We just want her to come home."

Lidia Mendez is 5'2" tall, weighing 105 pounds with long black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen in Conway wearing jeans and a turquoise hoodie.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Conway Police Department.