Sign up for the battlefordsNOW newsletter

Widespread relief as abducted girl is found safe

Sep 17, 2018 | 12:14 PM

Hundreds of people were on the ground Sunday in North Battleford searching for a little girl reported missing following a vehicle theft in the community.

The six-year-old girl was the subject of an Amber Alert Sunday after an SUV was stolen from outside a mini-mall in North Battleford. The Amber Albert was cancelled early Monday morning after the girl and the vehicle were located in an industrial area of North Battleford. 

Many members of the local community joined in the search for the missing girl Sunday night and into early Monday morning. scouring the Battlefords area. Battleford Central School principal Monique Sommerfeld, who knows the family involved, said hundreds of people took part in the search. The school became the muster point late Sunday for searchers.

“There were so many people who were out looking and we wanted to have one spot to coordinate our efforts,” she told battlefordsNOW. “Before we knew it, we came back to school at 10 p.m. and there were hundreds of people here … There were people still coming at 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning.”

Sommerfeld said she feels “ecstatic” that the girl was located safe and sound. She said searchers found out about 7 a.m. that the child had been located.

“We’re thankful she has been found. People searched on foot and in their vehicles, Sommerfeld added.

“We live in a wonderful community. It was so heartfelt to see people coming together.”

 

RCMP investigators were still at the scene in North Battleford’s Industrial Park Monday. Battlefords RCMP Constable Lee Gaetz said Monday that the vehicle remained where it had been found as police continue to investigate.

“I’m just happy she was found safe and sound; the best case scenario,” Gaetz said. “Everybody came together and did what they needed to do for the community. That was awesome. “

Gaetz says the child was located at about 6:45 a.m. Monday morning by someone who works in the area.

 

 

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow