Missing Teen Found In Downtown Pittsburgh

January 8, 2024 2:45 am

STOWE TOWNSHIP, Pa. — (WPXI) – A West Mifflin teen has been found safe in downtown Pittsburgh after she was reported missing Friday morning, Jan. 5. Kayla Durler, 17, has special needs, and the situation was getting dire as temperatures dropped and the snow started to fall.  Community members stepped up to find Durler Saturday afternoon and reunite her with her parents. She had been missing for more than 30 hours and was hungry but seemingly okay.  “It was probably the most intense change of emotions I’ve ever felt,” said Rebecca Bykoski of Pittsburgh.  Stowe Township police had been searching for Durler, who has Downs Syndrome, since she was dropped off at Sto-Rox High School around 7 a.m. Friday. School was closed Friday, but Durler was dropped off due to a miscommunication, police said Durler has not been seen since 7 a.m. She was last seen wearing a green coat and maroon pants. Allegheny County police shared a surveillance photo believed to be Durler. The photo was taken at 10:15 a.m. on Stanwix Street in downtown Pittsburgh. In the photo, she is wearing a black cap and purple backpack. Detectives believe she got off a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus at that location. State police said Durler was seen in Market Square at 10 a.m. Friday.  Bykoski spotted the teen around 3:30 Saturday afternoon after an hours-long search in the cold with dozens of other volunteers.  Bykoski said she ended up finding Durler in plain sight, standing in front of a retail shop, DK Pittsburgh Sports on Fifth Avenue.