Decatur teen found safe after Flock cameras help track down former Tennessee deputy

DECATUR, Ala. (WAFF) - A missing Decatur teenager was found safe in White County, Tennessee, after she ran away last week. A former Tennessee deputy is now facing charges in connection with her disappearance.

The 15-year-old was reported missing after running away. The investigation led authorities to White County, Tennessee, where the FBI and local deputies found her safe.

White County Sheriff Steve Page said the FBI gave deputies a location where they believed the teen was staying. Deputies initially got no answer at the door or were told she was not there, but returned the next morning with a search warrant.

“We got enough valid information. We got a search warrant and we went to the house and the young lady came out. And she was safe,” Page said.

Page identified the suspect as Brian Schalk, whose vehicle was picked up on a Flock camera around the time the teen disappeared.

“Yeah, the Flock cameras played a big role in that one... the Flock cameras had picked up on his vehicle being in the area, which of course, you know, very likely put him there, so it just all came together,” Page said.

Schalk, a former deputy with the Van Buren and White County Sheriff’s Department, is charged with statutory rape and harboring. He remains under investigation regarding his connection to the teen and is being held in the White County Jail.

“Don’t think you can come to little rural White County and get away with stuff like that. ‘Cause we will, we’ll work hard till we find what we need,” Page said.

Sheriff Page said the teen’s family was traveling to Tennessee to reunite with her around 4 p.m. Monday. He said Schalk could face additional charges.

The teen’s mother posted on Facebook, writing in part, “Please I’m begging you if you have a daughter, please be aware of her socials, I thought I knew everything when I knew nothing. She could have been easily gone in a matter of weeks. Trafficking is real y’all, grooming is real and our teenagers don’t understand the dangers.”