ATTICUS VAN ARSDALE - 18 yo - Poway (NW of San Diego) CA

Poway teen disappears right before high school graduation

Posted: Jun 13, 2014 1:50 PM CDT
Updated: Jun 13, 2014 10:16 PM CDT
Video Report By Shannon Handy, Reporter



POWAY (CBS 8/CNS) - Authorities continued to search Friday for a North County teenager who went missing earlier this week.

Atticus Van Arsdale, 18, was last seen by his family about 9 p.m. Wednesday, according to sheriff's officials. The Poway High senior failed to show up at school for his graduation Thursday. His family located his wallet, cell phone and laptop in his room. 

There were no signs of criminal involvement in Van Arsdale's disappearance, which was being investigated as a "voluntary missing adult" case, Detective Todd Richards said. 

Deputies say by all accounts, Van Arsdale is a happy teen who excelled in school and hasn't had any problems at home.

"Both parents are highly educated.  They haven't had any issues with him.  No fights, no problems with girlfriends, anything like that," Richards said.

"One thing that was strange is his cell phone was left behind and from what we can tell, it appears as if it was deleted up til the day it was left. so kinda wiped his phone and appeared to do the same with his laptop computer," Richards said.

In addition, Van Arsdale's Facebook and Twitter accounts had been deactivated. Having no license or access to a car, authorities believe he left his home on foot. 

Search-and-rescue personnel searched areas around the teen's home and school through the afternoon Thursday with help from a sheriff's helicopter crew.

Van Arsdale is white, stands 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs about 170 pounds. He has long dirty-blond hair he generally wears in a ponytail, authorities said. CBS News 8 has also learned he has a scholarship to start at UC Riverside in the fall.

http://www.cbs8.com/story/25772251/poway-teen-disappears-right-before-high-school-graduation?clienttype=generic&mobilecgbypass