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The Latest: Dad of teen lost at sea will share phone data

TEQUESTA, Fla. – The Latest on the recovery of a cellphone from a boat belonging to two Florida teens who went missing last summer (all times local):

3:30 p.m.

The father of a Florida teen who went missing at sea with a friend says he will share whatever information can be retrieved from his son’s cellphone with the other boy’s family.

Blu Stephanos issued a statement to the Palm Beach Post saying that the phone belonging to his son Austin Stephanos has salt water damage, so he doubts information can be retrieved, “but I am not giving up hope.” He said he would share any information received with law enforcement and the family of Perry Cohen.

The Cohen family sued this week to block release of the cellphone by law enforcement to the Stephanos family until it is examined by law enforcement. Guy Rubin, the Cohen family’s lawyer, said the family has not had any contact with the Stephanos family about its plans.

The cellphone was inside a boat spotted in the Atlantic Ocean last month by the captain of a Norwegian supply ship. The cellphone, two fishing rods and two small tackle boxes were onboard. The boys went missing last July.

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8:30 a.m.

The mother of one of two Florida teens who went missing at sea is asking the state attorney to get involved in a feud over the other boy’s cellphone.

The cellphone belonging to Austin Stephanos was inside a boat spotted in the Atlantic Ocean last month by the captain of a Norwegian supply ship. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says the cellphone, two fishing rods and two small tackle boxes were will be returned to the families. The boat was packed up with the personal effects and is expected to arrive at Port Everglades in May. The cellphone was shipped ahead. The boys went missing last July.

The Palm Beach Post (http://pbpo.st/1StY23G ) reports the mother of Perry Cohen issued a statement Sunday saying the state attorney’s help is needed because Austin Stephanos’ father hasn’t given Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigators consent to search his son’s iPhone.

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Information from: The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post, http://www.pbpost.com

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