Police: Missing Apopka girl makes it through security at OIA

ORLANDO, Fla. — A 15-year-old girl with autism missing from Apopka made it through security at Orlando International Airport on Friday afternoon, the Orlando Police Department said.

The girl said she found a drink coupon belonging to another passenger on the floor, used it as she passed through TSA Precheck and presented it to a Southwest Airlines employee, a police report said.

The report said the passenger to whom the coupon belonged had already boarded a plane.

Read: Bodycam video released of woman escorted off plane at OIA after not having ticket, ID

Officials said an officer immediately recognized the girl as someone who was reported missing.

The officer said the girl told him she took several buses to travel to the airport and that she "just wanted to fly on an airplane," the report said.

"The individual presented a valid and current boarding pass," the TSA told airport officials. "Under the age of 18, passengers are not required to present an ID. She was screened and therefore presented no threat to the aviation system."

The TSA said the girl never boarded a plane.

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