Authorities in Elbert County successfully located two missing 13-year-old girls on Tuesday morning. The girls, who had been missing since the previous evening, were reported last seen departing from a school event carrying backpacks.
Details of the Incident
Following their disappearance on Monday, the Elbert School canceled classes for Tuesday due to ongoing search efforts. The girls were attending an event at Elbert School, connected to the Colorado Springs School.
Search Operations
The Elbert County Sheriff’s Office initiated a comprehensive search within a five-mile radius of the school. This search utilized various resources, including:
- Drones
- K9 units
- ATVs
- Ground teams on foot
Search efforts ceased around 11:30 p.m. on Monday but were set to resume early Tuesday morning. Additional support was provided by the Arapahoe Rescue Patrol to enhance the search operations.
Safe Recovery
The girls were eventually discovered at a rancher’s home on Elbert County Road 5, several miles from the school, around 9 a.m. Tuesday. They were found in good condition, but it was noted that they were not appropriately dressed for the cold weather.
Elbert County Undersheriff Dave Fisher expressed relief at their safe return, stating, “The good news is they are safe.” He also highlighted that the girls do not have their cell phones with them and had approached the rancher’s home at random.
Background Information
Both girls are members of their school’s cross-country team. Their swift recovery highlights the coordinated efforts of law enforcement and community resources in safeguarding their well-being.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety measures for young individuals attending events away from home.
