Search for Missing 14-Year-Old Boy Last Seen 2 Weeks Ago Continues After His Shoes Were Found on Riverbank

Teen Taylor Charlton was last seen in a Tesco Extra parking lot in Devon, England, before heading towards a river on May 8

14-year-old Taylor Charlton

Taylor Charlton.Credit : Devon and Cornwall Police

NEED TO KNOW

A 14-year-old boy has been missing for nearly two weeks after he was last seen in a grocery store parking lot before heading towards a river at around 10:30 p.m. on Friday, May 8
Taylor Charlton was captured on CCTV heading toward the River Taw in Devon, England
Police found shoes they believe belong to Charlton along the riverbank and are using drones and helicopters in the search

A teen boy has been missing for almost two weeks after he was last seen in the parking lot of a grocery store before heading toward a river in England.

Taylor Charlton was last seen in a Tesco Extra parking lot in Barnstaple, Devon, at around 10:30 p.m. local time on Friday, May 8, authorities said.

He was then reported missing the following day at around 5:15 p.m.

On Tuesday, May 19, Devon & Cornwall Police shared in an update that a large-scale police investigation was still in place amid the search for Charlton.

Charlton is described as being around 5 feet, 8 inches tall, with dark brown hair and a mustache. He was last seen wearing bright blue Nike shoes, a bright blue fitted top and a pair of jeans.

14-year-old Taylor Charlton

Taylor Charlton.Devon and Cornwall Police

“Detectives have reviewed a significant amount of CCTV as well as carrying out house-to-house, digital and witness enquiries to locate Taylor, “ the release read. “Targeted searches utilizing specialist teams, drones and the police helicopter have covered an extensive area of the River Taw and estuary.”

Police said the search will continue “on and by the water in the coming days.” Shoes that authorities believe belong to Charlton were found on “two consecutive days on the high tide line of the riverbank,” around 0.3 miles apart.

Tesco Extra car park, in Station Road barnstaple

Stock image of Tesco Extra in Barnstaple, Devon.Google Maps

Sector Inspector Andy Wills said that it’s possible Charlton could have entered the water and their searches are focused around the River Taw area.

“Currently, the last confirmed sighting we have of Taylor was captured on CCTV showing him heading in the direction of the river,” Wills said.

He added that a “vast area” of the river and estuary has been covered, but the location is “challenging” due to “significant movement of water on each tide.”

Sun shines on the town of Barnstaple on the River Taw estuary in North Devon.

The River Taw in Devon, England.Alamy

“We are extremely grateful for the public response to our appeal so far, and we still urge anyone with information to contact us,” Wills said. “If you are out searching, please help us by keeping yourselves safe.”

PEOPLE has reached out to Devon and Cornwall Police for an update and Tesco for comment.

SOURCE: https://people.com/teen-boy-missing-2-weeks-last-seen-heading-towards-river-shoes-found-11981006