Missing Iowa teens found safe in Illinois, mother says "Xbox romance" inspired runaway plot

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Corey Sunderman in an undated personal photo. Corey and three other Iowa teens ran away from home before they were discovered in safe conditions at Illinois

/ Personal photo via KCCI

(CBS/AP) TOLEDO, Ohio - Eastern Iowa authorities said four missing Iowa teens were found safe in Illinois after one of their mothers said an "Xbox romance" inspired the teens' plot to run away from home.

The Benton County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday that 16-year-old Corey Sunderman, 13-year-old Austin Boggs and 15-year-olds Skie Floyd and Jazlyn Visek were found in Illinois, but did not provide further details. They were missing since Saturday afternoon.

Benton County Sheriff Randy Forsyth said Monday that the teens were not believed to be in any danger and that the girls had planned a trip with the boys.

Corey Sunderman's mother, Crystal Sunderman, told ABC News that she believed her son met his girlfriend, Jazlyn, through Xbox's online gaming system and plotted the escape with the two other teens.

"I don't let him have a Facebook account because I don't want him meeting people online," Crystal Sunderman told ABC. "I didn't realize they could do so much on Xbox."

Crystal Sunderman said Monday that she thought the teens may have been on their way to Florida for a skateboarding event.

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by goodbyeamerica October 18, 2012 3:49 AM EDT

Leave the teens be, they didn't ask anybody to spend money looking for them. Sounds to me like they have some very abusive and controlling parents. I hate facebook and don't have one, but if I was a teen I most likely would and if my parents told me I couldn't do what most the other world is doing safely I'd runaway to. They should all get emancipated and rent a place together.

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by spin211 October 18, 2012 11:57 AM EDT: LOL! Do you know how ridiculous you sound? The mom was doing what she thought was right for her son. Granted, he rebelled and now he'll face the consequences over his actions. Running away for not having a facebook? Gimme a break!


by VA_Jill October 17, 2012 1:33 PM EDT: Stupid little punks need to pay restitution for the money spent on the search. Put 'em to work, then they won't have so much time to play on the xbox. They can make money raking leaves, or mowing lawns, or cleaning.; Reply to this comment

by caljack430 October 17, 2012 1:16 PM EDT

Maybe if you let your kid have a facebook and be a normal 16 year old boy... then he wouldn't feel the need to run away. Let your kids make mistakes, just do your best to make sure their mistakes don't include running away to other states.

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by JennyRN October 18, 2012 1:56 PM EDT: Letting kids make mistakes can lead to irreversible STDs, such as herpes, genital warts, and AIDS! I understand that the main kid had pulled this kind of stunt before. I encourage talking to kids about SEX. If they are going to do it anyway, provide them with some protection. 16 or not, he could be a carrier of any type of disease now, especially since he has had, from what I can tell, sex with more than one person already.