16-year-old St. Joseph teen found safe after being reported missing for week
7:45 p.m. UPDATE: Steen has reportedly been located and is safe, according to someone close to the family.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Authorities and family members of 16-year-old Dakota Steen are asking for the community’s assistance after the teen was reported missing on Dec. 30 in St. Joseph.
Dakota Steen, a 16-year-old teenager from St. Joseph, has been reported missing by his family and was last seen in St. Joseph on Dec. 30, 2025.
Authorities and the family are seeking the public’s help with locating the teen safely. Steen may still be in the area and could be using the name “Kota.”
A Facebook post from Steen’s family said they were hopeful he would come home on his own, but more than a week has now passed since he first took off around 3 p.m. on Dec. 28.
“We are all very much worried about him, he has not been in contact with anyone,” the post reads.
A missing person’s report for Steen has been filed with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as well as the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Anyone with information on Steen is encouraged to contact the St. Joseph Police Department at 816-271-4777 or the NCMEC 24-Hour Call Center at 1-800-843-5678. If seen, call 911 immediately.
