Two southwestern Connecticut families say they're grateful their missing children returned home safely this morning.

The two families asked for the public's help in finding their loved ones at a news conference outside the Bridgeport Police Department yesterday. They say they were elated when police called them shortly after midnight to say their kids, 15-year-old Brianna Schroeter and 20-year-old Michael Pettway, were safe. 

Police say Schroeter was last seen walking away from her church in the North End Sunday afternoon, and Pettway disappeared the same day.

Officials say the two knew each other and were close long before their disappearance. 

They say the pair went to New York City and were hanging around in Times Square when police officers recognized them and helped get them home to their families.

Their loved ones say they will never forget getting the good news. 

Police say even though Pettway is an adult and is five years older than Brianna, they are not pursuing criminal charges against him because she was unharmed and there was no foul play.

Community activist Wayne Winston, who brought the two families together to plead for their safe return, thanked police "for treating this case with fairness and humanity".