2 runaway teens located in Newark, NJ

WENHAM, Mass. -- Several law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, were looking for two local teens that ran away from home. The teens were located in New Jersey on Monday.

On Monday night, the two teens were in Newark, N.J. waiting for police to bring them back to Massachusetts.

Officials say the two teens were found near the Occupy Newark site in good health.

The families of the teenagers were relieved to learn that the two were located.

"We're happy that they're safe and well, and we're just looking forward to getting them home," said Diane Dixon, Laura Dixon's mother.

"Basically, what I understand - and I haven't talked to my son - is that they gave themselves up and they walked into the police station in Newark on their own. So, that's all I know, and I'm just so grateful that they're safe and they're okay and they're fine, and they're coming back up here tomorrow," said Annmarie Martins, Connor Southard's mother.

Police say 13-year-old Connor Southard and 14-year-old Laura Dixon took a cab to South Station where they were seen early Sunday morning. Dixon is from Wenham and Southard from Manchester By-The-Sea.

Surveillance video shows the two runaway teens entering South Station. Police say the two were last seen at Gordon College in Wenham early Sunday morning.

“Approximately 1:30 a.m. these juveniles were picked up at Gordon College by the Bennett Center, were transported to South Station by cab driver. They were last seen at 1:53 a.m. The two juveniles may be headed to New York City or to New Hampshire,” said Chief Kenneth Walsh of the Wenham Police Department.

Although the teens were runaways, police said they pulled out all the stops to find them.

Wenham police were at South Station on Monday looking for any clues that could lead them to the teenagers. Police say they believe the two ran away because they want to be together as boyfriend and girlfriend over the objections of their parents.

“I think based on the fact of their young age, I think every time…you get nervous of the dating relationship,” said Walsh.

Southard's mother searched the nearby Occupy Boston site for the teens.

"I was all through there. I made an announcement on the speaker, I handed out their picture. People we unbelievable. They actually printed the pictures, made fliers, distributed the fliers, went around to tents, looked for them. They were incredible," said Martins.

As for the reason the two ran away, their parents did not know. One parent said she didn't think the pair had any particular interest in the Occupy movement, and speculated that they just wanted to be together.

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