Search for missing woman ends in Anderson County

A search for a missing 20-year-old ended well Friday night, just hours after the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office issued a press release asking for help from the public.

According to the BCSO press release, Loretta L. Franks from the Redfield area, was reported missing by her family on April 13. She was last seen leaving her place of employment at about 10 p.m. April 11 and her vehicle was found on April 12 at a location other than her employment.

Although Sheriff Bill Martin said foul play was not suspected, Franks' disappearance was out of the ordinary.

"It's just kind of unusual for her to have that type of behavior," Martin said shortly after releasing information to The Tribune. "It's kind of a welfare check, basically. There's just little bits and pieces that don't quite add up and that's what makes this kind of a unique behavior for her. This is very unlike her."

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation assisted with the investigation, Martin said.

Martin said a deputy who was working on the investigation received a tip that led to Greeley in Anderson County. Franks was located at about 7 p.m.

"Apparently she was there with an individual," Martin said. "Authorities with Anderson County did a residence check and sure enough, found her."

Martin said the authorities asked if she was all right, if there were any issues and if she was being held against her will.

"Apparently she wasn't, she was fine, so law enforcement cleared and notified us," Martin said.

He said the deputy working on the investigation was making contact with Franks' family, but as of 9 p.m., Martin had not heard from the deputy.

"So I assume everything is OK," he said.