WICHITA — Two Ellsworth teenagers were found safe late Tuesday afternoon by a family member.
Connor Creech, 16, Kanopolis, and Katelynn McKinney, 13, Ellsworth, were discovered at a Wal-Mart store in Wichita, according to Ellsworth Police Chief Dave Smith.
The pair disappeared more than two weeks ago; however, an Ellsworth County resident later spotted the runaway teens at Towne West Mall in Wichita.
The Ellsworth County teenagers who apparently left together Jan. 16 managed to escape law enforcement for two weeks.
Creech and McKinney escaped in a relative’s 1998 white, two-door Saturn, with a Kansas 30-day temporary license tag, according to Ellsworth Police Chief Dave Smith. He said they were alerted to the runaways by the girl’s father. McKinney is described as a 5-foot-6, 120-pound female with brown hair and brown eyes. She has a birthmark on her right wrist and may go by the name “Nikki.”
The Ellsworth Police Department sought the public’s help in finding the two Ellsworth County teenagers. Anyone with any information that would help locate Creech and McKinney is asked to call Ellsworth County Crime Stoppers, (800)-222-TIPS (8477), or the Ellsworth Police Department, (785) 472-5110.
Smith said all police agencies have been alerted about the teenagers, including the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (ww.missingkids.com).
 “We believe they were last seen on the west end of Wichita,” Smith said. “There is information that there was planning involved. When people want to run away and make plans, they can do a good job avoiding getting caught. There are a lot of agencies trying to find them. We’re trying to get as much information out there as possible, including reports on TV.”
Smith said the families are kept in constant contact. Smith said there is evidence to believe the teenagers have been in Sedgwick County.
Smith said the investigation has revealed the pair were seen together at the Towne West Mall in Wichita Jan. 16. A credit card tied to the teenagers was apparently used Jan. 17 at a Wichita business located at Central and Ridge Road, according to Smith.