US authorities find missing mother and 555-pound son

A 555-pound South Carolina teen who disappeared with his mother after she was accused of neglecting his health was found with her on Thursday afternoon at a laundry in Maryland, authorities said.

Paramedics checked Alexander Draper, 14, before turning him over to the Maryland Department of Human Resources, police said. The two were found in Woodlawn area of Baltimore County, police said.



His mother, 49-year-old Jerri Gray, was arrested on a charge of violating a custody order, police said. South Carolina officials plan to pursue her extradition back to the state.

Authorities said the teen was at a "stage of critical health risk," but wouldn't provide details about his medical condition beyond his weight, said Greenville County Sheriff's Lt. Shea Smith.