UPDATE (Friday, Nov. 1 at 8:54 a.m. PT) — Doug Faoa, a 16-year-old foster child missing since Oct. 10, has been found.
His foster mother, Carol Palmer, said she received information that Faoa was in Newport and went to collect him Thursday. The two made it back to her home in Albany, around 3 p.m.
Jake Sunderland, a spokesperson for the Department of Human Services, said the agency had been informed Faoa had been located, and it was his understanding that Faoa would be able to remain with his foster mother.
Sixteen-year-old Doug Faoa has been missing since Oct. 10.
Courtesy of Carol Palmer
“We will do everything we can to support him and his foster family and help him have stability,” he said.
Faoa had been reported missing after not returning to the Inn Home For Boys, a Clackamas County living facility for boys with emotional issues.
Palmer said Faoa was in need of “intense treatment” and had been sent to the Inn Home for a three month stint to address his emotional issues.
Faoa’s disappearance had received little media coverage until Sen. Sara Gelser, whose district encompasses Albany, tweeted about her concerns over how long it took the Inn Home to notify both DHS and Faoa's foster mother.
Palmer also said she felt the case had gotten a lackluster response by both the media and law enforcement. She said the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office was quick to assume Faoa ran away from the facility, triggering a less intensive search by officers than if they believed there was an element of foul play.
"These types of cases involving a teenager who chooses to leave are difficult because it usually takes someone contacting law enforcement with information as to where they are," said Sgt. Marcus Mendoza with the Clackamas County sheriff's office.
Mendoza said the sheriff's office was thrilled to learn Palmer had reconnected with Faoa.
"The media attention generated calls and we followed up on the leads that had promise. We were happy to partner with anyone who could provide information that could help us locate Doug," Mendoza said.
