A Blount County teen who has been missing since June has been located safely.
There was a huge effort in social media and in the community to help find Hunter Barnes, 17, of Maryville.
Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong announced Wednesday that the William Blount High School student was located in Santa Monica, California, safe and unharmed.
"We would like to thank everyone for their assistance and support in helping to locate Hunter," Sheriff Berrong said. "The Sheriff's Office, along with Hunter's family, are very appreciative of the level of support and compassion from the community to help locate this young man."
The Blount County Sheriff's Office is assisting the Santa Monica Police Department, the states of California and Tennessee, as well as Blount County Juvenile authorities for his safe return to Blount County.
Hunter was reported missing by his mother on June 14.