Mother of missing teen found in Palm Springs speaks out
We now know where the 16-year missing teen from Michigan is. Officials with the Palm Springs Police Department said he was safe. However, his mother told KESQ News Channel 3’s and CBS Local 2’s Katie Widner that she is now worried about his future.
Cody Page was taken into protective custody Wednesday morning after being recognized by an employee at a Motel 6 in Palm Springs. Police said his biological mother, Kali Strait, was found nearby. Strait told KESQ News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 that she lost custody of the teen years ago. She said that while she did not have custody of him, there was no court order barring her from seeing him. Police said a preliminary investigation showed no laws had been violated.
According to Strait, Cody ran away from an unhealthy, familial foster situation more than a year ago.
“He wasn’t happy where he was before. He was at a rough spot being with his grandma. He was mistreated,” Strait said.
She added that Cody had contacted her online a few months back. She said he had been doing great in recent months, enrolling in an online GED program in hopes of getting his high school diploma and was even mountain biking and living a healthy lifestyle.
She, her husband Donald (Cody’s stepfather), and Cody checked in to the Motel on Tuesday. Cody was found the next day.
Police said Wednesday afternoon that they were working with authorities in Michigan to figure out how to transport the teen back to the mid-West. By Wednesday night, Strait said the PSPD had sent Cody to a juvenile detention facility. Chief Bryan Reyes told KESQ News Channel 3’s and CBS Local 2’s Katie Widner that the teen was sent there to be processed to go back to Michigan.
Strait expressed worries about what the system may do to her son. She said she would like to get custody of Cody, or even have him emancipated so he can continue on a path forward.
She is now looking for help to learn more about what her legal options are, but said she cannot currently afford the legal fees it would take to battle the court system.
If you are willing to help or provide resources, please email KESQ News Channel 3’s and CBS Local 2’s Katie Widner. She can help connect you with the family.
