Human Interest Real People Missing Girl, 17, Found 'Safe' as Police Say She Was Living with 44-Year-Old Man Penelope "Penny" Wise, 17, was reported missing after she was last seen on May 31 By Danielle Jennings Danielle Jennings Danielle Jennings is a Writer/Reporter at PEOPLE, covering stories in Human Interest and Sports. She joins PEOPLE with over 15 years of experience as a journalist with an expertise in areas including Pop Culture, Politics, Hard News, Fashion, Beauty and Crime. Before joining PEOPLE she was a writer and digital editor at notable media outlets, including ABC News, The Shade Room, Madame Noire, Hello Beautiful and Brit + Co. People Editorial Guidelines and Brian Brant Brian Brant Brian Brant is an Associate Editor, Human Interest at PEOPLE. His work has previously appeared Audacy's 1010 WINS and NewsBreak. People Editorial Guidelines Published on July 24, 2024 04:28PM EDT Penelope Wise. Photo: Kent County Sheriff's Office After police in Michigan say they safely located a 17-year-old girl who had been missing for two months, they revealed they found her living with a 44-year-old man and that the two were engaged. Penelope "Penny" Wise was reported missing after she was last seen leaving her family's home on foot on May 31 around 6 p.m. local time, according to the Kent County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO). Before she was found, Wise was seen on camera walking alone in Rockford around midnight on Saturday, June 1 — and throughout the investigation, police said they believed she "intentionally walked away from home" and that they did not have any information to suggest foul play. In an update on Sunday, July 21, police announced that the teen had been "located safe." "The initial investigation revealed that Penny was living with an older man in a home, in the City of Rockford." police said, noting that they were able to find her after a community member saw Wise leaving the home on a bicycle and then contacted police. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. In an update on Monday, July 22, police shared that investigators learned the "older man" was 44, and that the pair, who had been strangers, met around 2:00 a.m. local time on June 1, just hours after Wise was last seen. They went on to say that the pair began living together that same day and that investigators "also learned that Penny and the man were engaged." The age of consent in Michigan is 16. Missing California Teen Found Safe After Officials Issue State’s First Ebony Alert: 'A Real Difference' Speaking with local ABC affiliate WZZM, police said that Wise left home following a “disagreement” with her parents, and that police believe she was staying with the man willingly – and that they met by “happenstance.” “They never had any connection. There was no digital trail that we could have followed that would have led to this location,” said Kent County Undersheriff Brian Muir. “They just happened to meet each other and have a bond.” On Tuesday, July 23, police confirmed to PEOPLE that the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office "has decided not to pursue charges against the 44-year-old man at this time." Poster of missing Michigan Teen, Penelope Wise. Courtesy Kent County Sheriff Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker told FOX affiliate WXMI that although the case was “clearly troubling,” their office “can’t just charge things that we find troubling.” The possible charges that they looked into included harboring a runaway and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, the outlet reported, however, because Wise was 16, those charges couldn't apply. “We have to follow the law, and that’s what we did,” he added. “We were just left without anything to charge.” Missing American Teen Found Safe After Leaving Cruise Ship in Germany: Reports Speaking with WZZM on July 22, Muir said that the teenager was still in custody, but that they "really can't get into what she's in custody for, because she is a juvenile still in the eyes of the law." Muir added, "We're just trying to connect her with services before she makes it back home." When reached for comment by PEOPLE on Wednesday, July 24, Wise's mom said that the family is "happy" their daughter was found, but "saddened by the choices she made." "We are thankful for all the Law Enforcement and the hours they put in searching for our daughter," she added, noting that she was still being detained at a Juvenile Detention Facility and they have yet to see her.