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Missing Parma teen Katarina Bitterman, 17, found alive in Massachusetts

Posted at 7:40 PM, Mar 10, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-10 23:17:45-05

The Parma Police Department confirms that 17-year-old Katarina Bitterman, missing since March 4, has been found.

Massachusetts by FBI Special Agents from the Boston Field Office located her unharmed at a home in Salem. This comes after an investigation by Parma Police detectives and Cleveland FBI Special Agents revealed that Bitterman was staying there.

Cleveland FBI agents contacted Boston FBI agents who went to the home and were able to locate Bitterman at the residence.

FBI agents in Boston also arrested a 19-year-old male who was living at the house. Parma Police detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest and will be making arrangements to extradite him back to Ohio.  

In a press release from Parma Police, the Bitterman family thanked the public for their thoughts and support. At this time, the family is asking for privacy and does not wish to be contacted.

Bitterman was last seen Saturday afternoon.

Her parents left their home that afternoon around 1:30. An hour later, police said an eyewitness saw Bitterman walking down Augustine Drive. When her parents called to check on her, they were unable to reach her. They sent a friend to the house but she was gone, police said.

RELATED | FBI assists Parma police in search for missing 17-year-old girl

On Wednesday, the FBI and local police went door to door in the Parma neighborhood, trying to figure out where Bitterman might be. 

The search expanded Thursday to the Cleveland Metroparks West Creek Reservation area, which is near the teen's home.