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Kansas man found in Colorado hotel with former castmate, 14, from theater production

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a 47-year-old has been arrested at a Colorado hotel where he was found with a former 14-year-old castmate from a Kansas community theater production of "Elf: The Musical."

A sergeant at the Montezuma County Detention Center in Colorado says Kansas authorities are seeking a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor against Michael Fitzgerald.

The Journal newspaper reports that Fitzgerald was arrested Thursday night at the hotel in Cortez, Colorado, two days after the teen went missing from her Topeka, Kansas, home.

Fitzgerald initially played the role of Walter, the father of main character Buddy the Elf, in last month's Topeka Civic Theatre production. The teen was part of the ensemble. The theater group's president and CEO, Vickie Brokke, told The Topeka Capital-Journal that Fitzgerald was replaced after cast members expressed concerns.

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Information from: The Topeka (Kan.) Capital-Journal, http://www.cjonline.com