A 19-year-old man was arrested and questioned in connection with the 11-day disappearance of Jade Lynch, Cheshire police said on Thursday.
The 14-year-old girl from St Helens was found safe and well by police in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Greater Manchester at about 9.30pm on Wednesday. She had gone missing without her mobile phone or any access to cash in St Helens after telling her younger brother she was going to meet someone.
Police said the 19-year-old was helping officers with their inquiries, and has been released on bail. Det Supt Jon Betts said information the police received from the public during Jade’s disappearance was “outstanding”, but he urged the public to refrain from negative comments.
“Since Jade’s return, we have noticed a number of negative comments on social media sites,” said Betts. “Inappropriate and upsetting comments do not help the investigation, and simply cause further upset and distress for Jade and her family. We would like to remind everyone that Jade is a vulnerable teenager and throughout our investigation our aim has been for her safe return.”
On Tuesday, Jade’s sister Stephanie Lynch, 22, made an emotional appeal to the teenager. She said: “All kinds of things are running through our minds. We just want to know that she is safe, that’s all. It’s not like her not to be in contact with no one.”
Police said they had received a vast amount of information from the public following the appeal, with possible sightings in Manchester city centre.
The schoolgirl, who is originally from the Warrington area, left home at 1pm on 26 March heading for St Helens town centre with her two younger brothers. While on the way, she told her siblings she was going to meet somebody and they left each other in the Duke Street area of the town, where she was last seen.
Detectives said they were concerned after her normally active social media accounts had fallen silent.
The police and crime commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer, said: “It has been heartening to see all of the support given by the public and this case shows the power of the people.”
