AUBURN — A 15-year-old girl reported missing last month was reported to be safe Friday.

Lily Swearingen, through her Facebook page, told followers she ran away because the Department of Health and Human Services was trying to take her away from her family.

That was Thursday night. Earlier in the day, Auburn police had issued a news release, asking the public for help in locating the teen, who had been reported missing in late February.

According to family friends, Swearingen’s mother had been informed that her daughter was safe, although the mother said she did not know where the teen was staying.

By Friday, police investigators said they had been updated on those developments, although the case remains open.

“We have followed up on several leads but have not located her,” police Chief Phil Crowell said. “Family members have said she is safe, but we have not been given information as to her whereabouts.”

After posting a Facebook page update Thursday night, advising that she was safe, it appeared that Swearingen took down her page. She had asked that followers stop circulating her photos, which had been distributed by police.

“If you all truly care,” she wrote, “then leave me be.”

Friends of the missing girl said Swearingen had suffered from increasing stress due to the dispute with the DHHS. The publicity about her disappearance, one woman said, has aggravated that stress.

“Emotionally she is drained,” the friend said, “’cause she just wants to be with her mom.”

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