Update: Aragon teen safe; could face charges
by Melody Dareing
Mar 04, 2010 | 2939 views | 5 5 comments | 13 13 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Amber Graham
Amber Graham
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A 14-year-old Aragon girl missing for 11 days was found safe Wednesday evening.

Police said they found Amber Graham in Rockmart after two tips, brought in by an ongoing investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies, led a member of the Polk County Sheriff’s Department to the teen.

“She was found safe and in good health,” said Capt. Duane Alexander. “This was a big law enforcement effort as far as the U.S. Marshals Southeast Fugitive Task Force is concerned.”

Alexander said two arrests have been made in the case. Graham’s boyfriend, a 16-year-old, will face charges as well as the boy’s mother, Stacey Lynn Finnell, 41, of 2003 1st Ave., Rockmart.

Finnell was taken to Polk County Jail around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday night. Police were continuing to interview the boy and Graham to get exact details of how the incident unfolded.

While the exact charges against the mother and son have not been decided yet, Alexander said the two could be charged with interference with custody, obstruction or harboring a runaway.

Police officials said some of the charges would be made by Rockmart Police.

Graham could also face a charge of runaway, according to police.

Police said they would have more details later, after everyone involved has been debriefed.

Graham’s mother was called immediately after her daughter was found and arrived at the Aragon Police Department around 7:30 p.m.

An Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team also arrived at the police department, with law enforcement officials stating the teen boy charged in the case was having a panic attack.

Numerous agencies had been involved in looking for the teen girl, including the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Polk County Police Department, Rockmart Police Department, Bartow County Sheriff’s Department, Floyd County Sheriff’s Department, Rome Police Department, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshals.

comments (5)
« hansley wrote on Friday, Mar 05 at 08:11 AM »
Why doesnt everyone look at the reason the girl ran away? Didnt she make any comments? Its not always the child sometimes parents are the problem. If thats not the case, then im not sure i have a comment, i am not sure if a child should be charged for running away and have something on their record.
« BigFish wrote on Thursday, Mar 04 at 05:22 PM »
Geez. I can only imagine how angry that girl's family is at the mother of the boy. The mother is just as culpable as he is-perhaps even moreso- and I guess we'll just have to see what happened to know what she's culpable for! Whatever it is, she should get time, and perhaps even have to reimburse Aragon and local departments for their time, effort, and money. (Even the runaway bride had to pay money- so this mother should be prepared to pay, too!) I'm done. For now.
« polkmom wrote on Thursday, Mar 04 at 04:33 PM »
also adding to my last comment it makes me sick that the boyfriends parent just let it happen!! Does she not have a heart she new ambers parents were worried about her and i cant believe she did nothing!! She needs to be punished!!!!!
« polkmom wrote on Thursday, Mar 04 at 04:30 PM »
i know ambers parents and they are nice people that i know have been worried sick about her!! No parent should have to sit up for days wondering if their child is dead or alive while the child is out doing what they want to!!! But i am so very glad she is safe!!!
« opinioncounts wrote on Thursday, Mar 04 at 11:48 AM »


She needs the maximum punishment allowed!!!! What does this do for investigations of children who are really missing???? It puts doubts in people's minds. I hope the 16 year old and his mother get the maximun punishment also.

Sad, sad, sad
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