Missing teen, former Grand Prairie teacher found at motel

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Grand Prairie police have found the missing 16-year-old girl who ran away with her former high school math teacher.

Police believe the teen stole her mother’s car and drove to a motel in Richardson with 25-year-old Michael Perez.

Perez was a math teacher at Grand Prairie High school. He was removed from all his duties and is prohibited from being on school property after being accused of having an improper relationship with the teen.

“Both missing from school, we knew something was going on,” said Grand Prairie Police Officer Mark Beseda. “Through a tip, we put two and two together. That's the way we went."

The school's suspicions became a criminal concern after administrators received a tip that the girl may have been having an improper relationship with Perez.

Police found Perez with the girl at the Economy Lodge in Richardson early Friday morning. Police had a lot of questions for both of them.

Perez was jailed on a charge of harboring a runaway. The girl wasn't harmed, but Perez could still face more charges.

"If true, this is a reprehensible violation of an educator's responsibility to students.  Betraying a child's trust is outrageous," said Superintendent Dr. Susan Hull. "We urge law enforcement to take the strongest possible action as soon as possible."

Perez is currently being held in the Richardson jail.