A local mother is desperate to find her teenage son after he went missing 16 days ago.
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office has been searching for 15-year-old Joshua Newsome after he was last seen in Paso Robles.
Newsome’s mother, Leann Booker, says one year ago, she never could have imagined being in this situation.
"He played football for the high school, he showed a pig at fair, he was in the marching band," Booker said.
She says her teenaged son started hanging out with the wrong crowd about three months ago and began ditching school more often.
On May 21, Leann says her son ran away while she was taking her other son to the bus stop. He was reportedly last seen leaving Paso Robles High School.
"He took the school bus into town, got to the high school and took off from there," Leann says.
She believes he left without any money, a cell phone, or any of his belongings.
"He trusts everybody and that’s what has me scared. He sees the good in everybody. I’m afraid he’s naive of how the world works," Leann said.
There were two potential sightings of Joshua, leading family to believe he was hanging out with transient youth. Booker gathered up her friends Wednesday to search a riverbed where homeless people are known to hang out. Unfortunately, she didn’t have any luck.
She’s now begging the boy she loves to come home.
"Josh, call mom, tell her you’re OK. I just want to hear your voice. I want to know you’re alright and that I love you and that your brother and I and your mama and papa miss you terribly," Leann said.
