Nova J. Phelps Found Safe: Missing 15-Year-Old Returned to Family in Carbondale, Illinois

Nova J. Phelps, a missing 15-year-old from Carbondale, Illinois, was found safe on November 13, 2026, and returned to her family, police confirmed.

Nova J. Phelps Located After Missing Person Search

A search for 15-year-old Nova J. Phelps in Carbondale, Illinois, ended with positive news after police confirmed that the teenager had been found safe and returned to her family.

The Carbondale Police Department issued a missing-person appeal on Friday, November 13, 2026, after receiving information about her disappearance late Thursday night. Authorities said the report came in at approximately 11:45 p.m. on November 12.

According to the initial police notice, Phelps was last seen at around 10 a.m. on November 12 in the 1400 block of Old West Main Street in Carbondale. Officers asked members of the public to share information that could help establish her whereabouts.

Description Shared During the Search

During the search, police described Nova as approximately 5 feet tall and weighing around 140 pounds. She was reported to have blond hair and hazel eyes.

At the time she was last seen, she was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, a black shirt, black pants, and black slides.

The department shared these identifying details to help residents recognize her and provide useful information to investigators.

Police Confirm Teenager Was Found in Good Health

The search concluded later on November 13, when Carbondale police announced that Phelps had been located in the city.

Authorities confirmed that she was in good health and had been returned to her family. The recovery announcement brought relief to relatives and others who had followed the missing-person appeal.

Police also thanked members of the public for their assistance and support during the search. Their response helped bring attention to the case while officers worked to locate the teenager.

Although the department did not disclose where Phelps was found or explain the circumstances surrounding her disappearance, the most important update was that she had been located safely.

For her family, the news meant an end to an anxious search and the opportunity to welcome their loved one home. The community can now respect the family’s privacy as they move forward.

Disclaimer

The information in this article reflects the details provided in the supplied report about the Carbondale Police Department’s missing-person appeal and recovery announcement dated November 13, 2026. Police reportedly confirmed that Nova J. Phelps was found in good health and returned to her family. No further details about her disappearance or recovery have been provided, and no assumptions are made about what happened.