Couple Charged With Harboring Runaway

A Waterford Township couple and their son were charged Wednesday with harboring a teenage runaway who had been missing for two years.

Ethel and Gary Swan, 61, and their son Anthony Swan, 20, were arraigned before 51st District Court Judge Phyllis McMillen on charges of harboring a runaway, a 1-year misdemeanor. Police say the girl was 15 when she ran away from her Ortonville home. She's now 17 and was home-schooled by Ethel Swan, 59, while living in their home, said Ed Cibor, chief of warrants for the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office.

According to police and prosecutors, the girl - whose name is not being released - ran away from home in October 2004. She was allegedly upset that her father was planning to move out of state, Cibor said. The girl was acquainted with the Swans and, more than once, the trail led detectives to their Waterford Township home, where the family denied the girl was there.

"It is a tragedy an adult would intentionally put another family through the hell of not knowing whether their missing child is dead or alive for almost two years," said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard. "As a parent, I find it incredibly upsetting." Read more at michigan.gov