Iowa college student found safe

UPDATE: A La Porte City man who was out for his morning exercise found a missing college student Monday.

Medics with La Porte City Ambulance took 19-year-old Taylor Lee Franco, a Hawkeye Community College student from Davenport, to Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo after he was found walking north of Gilbertville at about 9 a.m.

“We're just happy that he's OK,” said roommate Taylor Moellenbeck. He, family and friends he been helping authorities in the search on Sunday and again Monday morning.

He declined further comment.

Authorities had been looking for Franco after he allegedly showed up at a rural La Porte City home Sunday morning, apparently thinking it was his. He wandered off without shoes when he was approached by the owners.

The residents' bloodhound continued to follow him, and authorities later found his parents' car parked nearby.

Franco apparently spent Sunday night outside.

Joel Bishop said he usually rides his bike north along the recreational trail near the Cedar River and then turns around when he reaches the gazebo just south of Weiden Road.

On Monday, when Bishop reached the gazebo, he was greeted by the missing bloodhound. Inside he found Franco, who didn't have a jacket but was wearing a fleece vest.

He said he wasn't actively looking for the student but soon realized what he found.

“That's when it clicked from last night's news,” Bishop said.

The student wanted to continue walking, so Bishop traveled with him and talked as they headed north toward Waterloo.

“I offered him my peanut butter crackers, I offered him my sweatshirt, but he wouldn't take it,” Bishop said.

He said Franco appeared to be slightly dazed but was able to hold a conversation.

Bishop was without a cell phone, and after walking with the student, he headed off trying to find someone with a phone. He said he went to two houses before finally finding some construction workers to make the call.

Black Hawk County sheriff's deputies and La Porte medics caught up with Franco where the bike path crosses Weiden Road.