Spencer County teen found safe after she went missing for 40 days

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- After being missing for more than 40 days, a Spencer County teenager was found.

The Spencer County Sheriff's Office confirms Sophie Stump, 18, is no longer missing and was located safe over the weekend.

The sheriff's office said investigators were able to speak with Stump in person Sunday night and said she is doing well. Investigators aren't releasing information as to exactly where Stump is or has been but confirm she is still in Kentucky.

Her information will be removed from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children database. However, the investigation remains ongoing.

Stump was last seen the night of Aug. 30. Since then, her family and police have been searching for her. Loved ones believe she may have met someone online and left home with plans to return.

Spencer County Sheriff's Office worked the case with a team of local, state and federal investigators. Rather than searching on foot, the investigation took a more digital approach.

"I honestly believe that she met up with somebody," Sara Huchingson, Stump's oldest sister and guardian, said in a previous interview last week with WDRB News. "I don't think it was somebody she actually knew."

Spencer County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Andrew Ware said investigators executed nearly 40 search warrants and collected electronic data from cell phones and social media apps.

The family started a GoFundMe page to raise money for a reward to anyone who comes forward with information about where Sophie is and to possibly hire a private investigator to help find her. Click here to access the page.

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