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Missing Batavia teen located in Cleveland

By Howard B. Owens

A 13-year-old Batavia boy who was reported missing earlier this week was located today in Cleveland.

A family member reportedly tipped police that Michael's non-custodial mother might be at a hospital in Cleveland seeking treatment, according to Det. Pat Corona, and the teen was located at the hospital.

The father of the teen is driving to Cleveland to pick up his son.

Corona said the teen, Michael Smith, is safe.

Smith reportedly failed to return from a visit with his non-custodial mother at a local hotel. The pair were spotted Monday morning boarding a bus in Buffalo.

Brenda Ranney

So I was reading Batavia's other online news site when I come across the young man's picture which accompanied the recent update. Normally I'd fire off a letter to The Daily News about how I feel that was in bad taste, their publishing a photo but I didn't because of a recent dialogue between the paper & a reader this past week.
I can't remember exactly how it read but the gist of The Daily News comment was, "It's our site we choose what comments are published on it".

So Howard, thank you for no pics on this story and thank you for publishing ALL our comments..

Jan 5, 2012, 10:38am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Just be to clear -- we did publish a picture on the original story. However, yes, it was a conscious decision not to publish it on this post. That said, I could make an argument for the Daily publishing the picture. It's a subjective call.

Jan 5, 2012, 11:19am Permalink
Chris Charvella

Call me nuts, but isn't it kind of difficult to keep an eye out for a missing kid if you don't know what he looks like? Or did I miss the point here completely?

Jan 5, 2012, 11:47am Permalink

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