An 11-year-old Westminster girl who was missing for nearly 24 hours was found safe Wednesday afternoon, the Westminster Police Department announced.
Police said the girl was found in unincorporated Jefferson County thanks to a tip from a citizen. Police have not released any additional information about the nature of her disappearance but said the investigation is ongoing.
The girl went missing after leaving her Westminster home around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday to walk to a park. Her mom called police around 5:30 p.m. when she didn’t return home.
“We recognize the events of the last 24 hours may have caused angst for those of you who live and work in our city,” the police department said in a release. “Please remember to take care of yourselves and your families.”
The girl was reported missing not far from where 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway was abducted in October 2012. Police found some of Ridgeway’s dismembered remains a few days later in Arvada, several miles from her home. Austin Sigg, who was 17 at the time, confessed to killing Ridgeway and was given a life sentence.
On Wednesday, police said they searched for the girl nonstop since she was reported missing, including door-to-door searches and combing the neighborhood and surrounding parks and lakes using foot patrols, a bloodhound, thermal cameras and drones.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation issued an Amber Alert and an Endangered Missing Alert for the girl Wednesday, hours before she was found.
In a statement Wednesday, the girl’s family said they are “so grateful” to have her home and safe.
“We just want to offer the biggest thanks to all who helped us in a time of need,” the family said. “It is very comforting to know that families like ours are supported by a close-knit community and overwhelming response from the Westminster Police Department along with all the other first responder agencies.”
Police said they were concerned about the girl’s safety because of the length of time she was missing and the cold weather in the area overnight.
The agencies involved in the search included the Lakewood, Thornton, Arvada, Broomfield, Wheat Ridge and Golden police departments, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, CBI, FBI, Ralston House, Westminster Fire Department and more.
Denver Gazette reporter Julia Cardi contributed to this report.
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