Missing Fla. teen found unharmed, questions remain about her disappearance

(CBS/AP) DELRAY BEACH, Fla. - A South Florida teen who police believed had been abducted on her way to school was found hours later, unharmed, at a motel.

CBS Miami reports that the search for 17-year-old Jade Beneby of Delray Beach began Tuesday after she sent a text message to her mother reading, "Mommy, help me. I'm in trouble." The girl's grandmother said the teen sent a second message, claiming she was in the trunk of a car: "Help me, Mommy. I'm in the trunk of a car. Help me."

FOX affiliate WSVN reports family and friends gathered at the Delray Beach Police station that afternoon where her father, Charles Beneby, pleaded for the safe return of his daughter.

"Just return her. Drop her anywhere. Just call the police department. Call any family member, we'll pick her up and just walk away from it," he said.

Hours later, Beneby was located about 50 miles away in the Hialeah area. Family members are still unsure what happened, but are relieved. "I'm very thankful," said a family member. "My prayers have been answered: that God returned her back to us safe and unharmed."

Police confirmed that Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents found Beneby at a motel but released no further details as to what led them to that location.

Police have not said if Beneby was with anyone or if arrests have been made in the case. A silver Mercedes was hauled away from the hotel by police who said Tuesday evening that they were still continuing to investigate the case as a possible abduction.