A teen covered in leeches was found alive in Australia after missing for two months. On Jan. 28, CNN reported that Matthew Allen, 18, was found by two hikers on Saturday. He was described as "disorientated" and was suffering from dehydration and exhaustion. Although he was not far from his home, he did not have his cell phone and couldn't find his way back.
"Local media said he was emaciated, covered in leeches and mosquito bites and his feet and lower legs were suffering from gangrene. It was believed he had been in the bush the entire nine weeks he was missing, police said" (CNN).
The teen was covered in leeches but he is expected to be okay. He was taken to a local hospital to be assessed and doctors say that he was in a very "poor state." Not only was he dehydrated, but he also lost a lot of weight -- somewhere up to 50% according to the hospital.
As far as the investigation behind this missing person's case, it is still ongoing. Authorities do believe that there is more to this story and that Matthew Allen didn't just "get lost in the woods" or what have you. It is unknown if he was kidnapped, trying to run away, or if something else kept him from home over the past several weeks.
The teen covered in leeches, missing for two months is lucky to be alive.
© Effie Orfanides 2013
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