Missing Teacher Is Located

A missing Orange County teacher has turned up alive and well -- in Las Vegas.

Ty C. Watkins of Mission Viejo left home Friday after telling his wife he had paperwork to do at Tesoro High School in Las Flores. On Sunday, she reported him missing and friends raised the alarm, distributing fliers and telling reporters they feared he had been abducted.

But on Sunday authorities said they saw no evidence of foul play. and on Tuesday they said Watkins’ family and friends had found him at the Luxor Hotel and Casino.

“It appears that he left of his own free will,” said Jim Amormino, spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. “He’s not in any danger.”

Investigators said he picked up his paycheck Friday and went to a credit union to withdraw money before heading to Vegas.

Watkins’ wife, Teri, declined to comment. Family friend Suzanne Watts said she was happy that Watkins was not abducted but puzzled by the events. “We have no idea why he would just leave,” she said.

Watkins has been married for six years. The couple have an 11-month-old son.

School officials said Watkins did not show up for work this week and has been put on paid leave.

“We have not been in contact with him, and we’re still trying to sort things out,” said David Smollar, spokesman for the Capistrano Unified School District.