Update: According to the Gila County Sheriffs Office and several Facebook posts; 3-year-old Harper has been found safe.
Sheriff J. Adam Shepherd would like to release the following information regarding a search and rescue operation 15 miles north of Globe near the Griffin Ranch area.
The Gila County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call at approximately 4:50 p.m. reporting a missing three-year-old girl. Deputies responded to the area as well as Forest Service Law Enforcement. The reporting party said when the vehicle stopped, the girl got out and they were unable to find her. She was reported to be missing for approximately 30 minutes prior to the 9-1-1 call.
Deputies met with the family to gather further information. A description was obtained, and search operations began immediately. Gila County Sheriff’s Office Globe Search and Rescue, Tonto Rim Search and Rescue, and Arizona Department of Public Safety air assets were all dispatched to the scene. Friends and Family also assisted with the search.
Searchers found the girl at approximately 12:09 a.m. in a wash roughly .65 miles from the vehicle. It is estimated she traveled around 1.5 miles.
Sheriff Shepherd said, “We are so grateful for this positive outcome, when calls involve young children, it adds a layer of difficultly. Time is so important in Search and Rescue operations, and I couldn’t be prouder of these searchers.”
Sheriff Shepherd would like to thank the Gila County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, Gila County Sheriff’s Office Globe Search and Rescue, Tonto Rim Search and Rescue, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Forest Service Law Enforcement, and the friends and family who assisted and responded in the search efforts.
The Story:
According to Gila County Sheriffs Office and several Facebook posts, a search is being conducted for a missing toddler, named Harper, around Sevenmile Wash and Haystack rd. The location is about 10 miles outside of Globe, AZ, in hunting unit 24A.
Facebook posts asked for all available search personnel to meet in the area and start looking for Harper. One of the Facebook posts read,” One of our guide’s children wandered off in unit 24A, she has been missing for a few hours, and we need all the help we can get.”
However, Gila County Sheriffs Office has requested all available personnel stand down.
Gila County Sheriff’s Office said,” Were actively looking for Harper, and no more assistance is needed.”
Gila County also posted a message on Facebook.
Molly K Ottman Executive Editor/Journalist for Mountain Daily Star