Izaak Epland, missing since March 15, says he is doing fine.

The 23-year-old contacted the Tribune Friday afternoon because he wanted to reach out to the community.

“I’m OK and I appreciate the concern and would like everyone to go about their own business,” said Epland, who lived in Albert Lea.

Epland’s mother, who lives in Emmons, reported him missing on Monday, and the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office has since asked for the public’s help in finding him.

Authorities received a couple phone calls they were following up on but nothing that had helped them confirm Epland’s location.

On the phone Friday, Epland would not indicate his location or general region but stated he planned to contact his family and law enforcement later in the day. He would not explain why he skipped town.

The Tribune confirmed through a series of questions that the caller was indeed Epland.

Authorities described Epland as having black hair and a dark complexion. He is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 175 pounds.

The family has not submitted a photo to authorities, who only have a driver’s license photo to go with and are unable to release it to the public for privacy reasons.