2 missing teens found alive after not returning while paddleboarding, authorities say

CEDAR KEY, Fla. (WCJB/Gray News) - Two 16-year-old girls who went missing this week while paddleboarding in Florida have been found alive, authorities said.

Levy County Sheriff’s deputies say the search began for Avery Bryan and Eva Aponte after they didn’t return from a paddle board excursion.

They went missing Monday around 4 p.m. paddling toward Cedar Key from Atsena Otie.

Deputies said the girls were found approximately 14 miles southeast of Cedar Key, near Yankeetown in Florida.

When the girls were found, they were cold with a few scratches but otherwise looked healthy and seemed to be in good spirits.

They were taken to a nearby medical center for evaluation.

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