Florida Girl, 12, Stole Dad’s Car, Picked Up 14-Year-Old Friend To Go Meet Online Predator In Louisiana, Police Say

A 12-year-old girl in Florida allegedly took her father’s car, picked up her 14-year-old friend and hit the road in an attempt to meet a predator they had been talking to online, according to officials.

Jade Gregory was reported missing last week after she stole her parent’s Ford Taurus and then drove out of the state with her friend, Khloe Larson, the New York Post reported.

Jade and Khloe were reportedly talking with an unknown person online who they planned on meeting up with in Louisiana, officials said.

A Missing Child Alert was issued for the girls, which led to their photos being placed on billboards and television screens across several Southern states.

According to officials, Gregory drove the vehicle all the way from the Gainesville area to Mobile, Alabama, about a five-hour trek.

Authorities said they were not accompanied by an adult during their journey and the girls left their homes voluntarily.

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While in Alabama, the girls saw their images on a television while in a convenience store. They decided to turn themselves in to local police, authorities said.

The girls have been safely returned to their families in Florida and officials say the FBI is now investigating a person they believe the two girls were to meet in Louisiana. They are trying to determine if the girls were lured by a possible child sex trafficker.