Police locate missing Cherokee County teen

Casey Lynn Gardner, the 16-year-old Cherokee County girl missing for 11 days and the reason for a police roadblock on Cumming Highway, was found Monday night.

The teen, one of four foster children who live in a Canton home, was located in Forsyth County after the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office received an anonymous tip. Gardner apparently was in good health, according to the sheriff's office.

Earlier in the day, a police roadblock was set up on Cumming Highway in hopes of finding the girl or picking up a tip regarding her whereabouts. The roadblock strategically was set up for the same time of day that Gardner went missing on June 17.

From 10:30 a.m. to noon, Cherokee County Sheriff detectives searching for Gardner, stopped cars on the highway in Free Home and handed out fliers. Lt. Jay Baker, sheriff's office spokesman, said media coverage of Gardner's disappearance had helped in finding her.

Gardner previously was last seen at Homer's gas station in Free Home after running away from her Claude Scott Drive home with two other foster girls -- one of whom was her biological sister. The other girls were located at the gas station later in the day following a call from the gas station attendant.

The girls threatened to run away after they were grounded the night before for "lying and stealing," a guardian told deputies, according to the incident report. The guardian considered it an idle threat and went to bed.