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Hewartson family thanks community for helping ‘find our daughter’

Posted at 4:18 PM, Aug 09, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-09 16:18:03-04

WAYLAND, Mich. — The parents of a 15-year-old girl who was discovered with an alleged predator in Rhode Island have been reunited with their daughter and are expressing gratitude for those who helped bring her home.

Gracie Hewartson was found at a home in Warwick with 43-year-old Charles Morancey five days after she went missing from her family’s Wayland home. Morancey is facing charges in both Rhode Island and Michigan.

Darrin Hewartson, Gracie’s father, said he and his wife are focused on helping their daughter recover.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for the Hewartson family to help with travel expenses, medical bills and lost wages from the time the family searched for Gracie. The fundraising goal is set at $2,500.

“I’m still amazed at people we don’t have any idea who they are, and they’re just so helpful with spreading the news while she was gone. I just can’t thank everyone enough,” Darrin Hewartson said. “The community amazed me with all the help and support we’ve gotten to find our daughter.”

Morancey is fighting extradition to Michigan. An extradition hearing has been set at the end of September.