Missing Fayette girl found safe in S.C.; boyfriend charged in disappearance
A Fayette County girl reported missing last week has been found in South Carolina.
Emily Salonick, 17, was allegedly removed from the state by her boyfriend, Michael Hart, 20, who has been charged with interference of custody of children, Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele said in a release.
Salonick was reported missing when she disappeared on March 18 after being dropped off for her shift at McDonald’s in South Union Township, police said.
Hart, of Daisytown, allegedly took her to South Carolina and placed her with his sister, Aubele said.
Police said when Hart was questioned, he told them he had not spoken to Salonick since they broke up over FaceTime and did not know where she was.
Video surveillance footage obtained by police showed Salonick walking into a parking lot into a brown sedan registered to Hart’s sister, the complaint said.
When interviewed again by police, Hart told them he had “screwed up” and was lying about Salonick’s location. Once he was in custody, he said he had driven Salonick to his sister’s to avoid taking her back to her legal guardians, according to court paperwork.
Hart was released on an unsecured $20,000 bond. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing April 14.
Aubele said additional charges would likely be filed against Hart.
“His actions, and the actions of others involved, have caused a substantial strain on our emergency services and tremendous suffering upon Emily’s loved ones,” he said.
Aubele thanked the hundreds of residents who sent in tips, as well as state police Trooper Robert Wilson and PSP Uniontown for the investigation.