The 16-year-old child of Slack co-founder Stewart Butterfield and Flickr co-founder Caterina Fake was discovered in San Francisco on Saturday night after vanishing from their Bolinas residence last week.
Mint Butterfield who identifies as nonbinary and goes by they/them pronouns, was located in the company of 26-year-old Christopher "Kio" Dizefalo, now facing kidnapping charges.
According to the Marin County Sheriff’s Office, Mint was found unharmed inside Dizefalo's white van parked on Eddy Street in the city’s notorious Tenderloin District, a neighborhood known for its higher crime rate.
Dizefalo, described as an "adult friend" of Mint's, was promptly apprehended and booked at Marin County Jail on suspicion of child abduction and related offenses, with bail set at $50,000.
The circumstances surrounding Mint's disappearance raise concerns. The teen, previously deemed "at-risk" due to past suicide threats, informed detectives that they had voluntarily left home before being reunited with their family.
However, suspicions linger regarding Dizefalo's alleged involvement in persuading Mint to flee, as reported by the San Francisco Standard.
In a statement expressing gratitude for Mint's safe return, their parents, along with stepfather and tech entrepreneur Jyri Engeström, acknowledged the collaborative efforts of authorities and the community in facilitating Mint's recovery.
They particularly commended law enforcement for their vigilance against predators who exploit vulnerable youths.
“A heartfelt thanks to all the family, friends, volunteers and strangers who called in tips and made this recovery possible,” the statement in an email to the San Francisco Standard read. “We especially want to thank the seasoned law enforcement officers who understand the very real threat of predators who use the allure of drugs to groom teenagers.”
Mint's disappearance, initially reported by their mother on the morning of April 22, had sparked widespread concern in the wider community in which they lived.
Authorities had found a note which indicated Mint's intent to run away, shedding light on the events leading up to their meeting with Dizefalo in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood, a known haunt for the teen.
