Missing persons from Columbia found in Kansas

Columbia police said Sunday afternoon that two mentally handicapped people reported missing that morning had been found safe south of Topeka, Kan.

Kansas State Police spotted the pair on Highway 35 Sunday afternoon.

Lauren Pond, 23, was last seen at 2 a.m. on Marquis Court, an Independent Living Home. She has life-threatening seizures and may not have her medication with her.

Staffers found her bedroom empty with the window open and screen pushed out around 8:30 a.m.

Police said in a news release Pond likely left on her own with Stephen Clithero, 32.

The two spent Saturday night in a hotel in Boonville, but hotel records show they left around 10 a.m. Sunday.

Clithero is driving his parents 2006 grey Ford F150 with Missouri plates 2PM 261.

Photos of Pond or Clithero weren’t available Sunday afternoon.