Searchers look for missing Colorado girl

Girl missing since Friday

Jessica Ridgeway-10946

oct-8-jessica-ridgeway-flie_1349716493806-10946.jpg

Jessica Ridgeway Info-10946

ridgewaymap_1349654859703-10946.jpg

A map showing where Jessica Ridgeway disappeared and where her backback was found three days later.

Jessica Ridgeway non blurb size-10946

This image provided by the Westminster Police Department shows 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway. An Amber Alert has been issued.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Posted: 10/08/2012
Last Updated: 228 days ago

WESTMINSTER, Colo. - Colorado authorities are searching for a 10-year-old girl whose backpack was found miles from her home after she went missing on her way to school Friday.

Jessica Ridgeway was last seen walking to a park where she meets classmates before school.

Westminster Police Department spokesman Trevor Matterasso said officers with dogs will search the neighborhood near Jessica's home again Monday.

“Every search is crucial. That’s why we’re conducting those and that’s why we’re repeating," he said. "We’re still in Jessica’s neighborhood, obviously. That area has been searched. Areas are being searched a second and third time. We’re focusing on the area she was last seen in and again we’re focusing on the area where that backpack was found."

Meanwhile, police in a nearby suburb were investigating Monday whether the disappearance is related to two other child enticement cases.

Authorities in Arvada didn't find a suspect in the cases from Sept. 9 and Sept. 12 involving a man who tried to lure two boys, around the same age as Jessica, into a car.

Anyone who might have any information about Jessica's disappearance of current whereabouts is asked to contact police at 303-658-4336 or pdamberalert@cityofwestminster.us. Matterasso said those tip lines have already received approximately 300 calls.

There is currently no person of interest in the investigation, Matterasso said.

About Jessica's father, who lives in Kansas City, Matterasso said that there was a custody dispute but no members of the girl's family are suspected in the disappearance.

Matterasso said officers are stationed Monday at every elementary school in Westminster and surrounding communities.

Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


Indianapolis , IN  
64° Cloudy

Stay Connected

Send us a News Tip Send us a News Tip
Mobile & iPhone/Android Apps Mobile & iPhone/Android Apps
Twitter Twitter
Facebook Facebook
ConnecTV ConnecTV
YouTube YouTube
Community Calendar Community Calendar
Call 6 Call 6