A shelter-in-place order imposed at all Maine School Administrative District 75 schools Wednesday morning has been lifted after a missing Mt. Ararat High School student was found, according to district officials.
The student fled the Topsham high school shortly before the start of the school day, leaving behind personal belongings — including a hatchet, hunting knife, personal documents and food supplies — that suggested an intent to run away, the officials said.
Mt. Ararat initiated the shelter-in-place order at 9:05 a.m., with other schools in the district following soon after, according to a letter to parents from MSAD 75 Superintendent Heidi O’Leary. The Topsham Police Department, Sagadahoc and Cumberland County sheriff’s offices and K-9 units assisted in the search.
Shortly after noon, O’Leary posted an update to parents saying law enforcement and the student’s family had located him, and the student was in his family’s care. With the student found safe, the district lifted the shelter-in-place order.
