Missing 12-year-old Centerville boy found


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CENTERVILLE — Deacon Phillips, a 12-year-old boy who was reported missing Friday, was found safe in Taylorsville Saturday, police said.

According to officials, Phillips was found by a "Good Samaritan" Friday who purchased the boy clothes and drove him to Taylorsville upon Phillips' request. After seeing news of Phillips' disappearance, the man who picked up the 12-year-old immediately called police.

Phillips left his Centerville home following a family argument at roughly 3:45 p.m. Friday without his phone, shoes, socks or a coat, according to Sgt. Vaughan Steenblick of Centerville police.

Phillips has behavioral issues, which made his family concerned for his safety, Steenblick said. The family had just moved to Centerville in February and were worried their son didn't know anyone in the area. A search party comprised of 20 to 30 officers was organized and deployed Saturday.

According to Sgt. Allen Ackerson of the Centerville Police Department, there is no reason to believe the man who picked up Phillips did anything criminal, although it is unclear why the man didn't call police when he found Phillips Friday. Ackerson also said they want to make sure Phillips and his family receive the proper resources from the Department of Child and Family Services to prevent something like this from happening again.

Deacon Phillips has been located and is safe. Thanks for all the help from the public and the media. — Centerville Police (@cpdutah) May 23, 2015

Contributing: Sandra Yi

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