Missouri
Missing 13-Year-Old Rural Salem Girl Found Unharmed in Missouri, Investigation Is Continuing (updated 11:45 pm Friday)
Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps says missing 13-year-old Hope L. Ballard of rural Salem has been found safe in Branson, Missouri.
Detectives from the sheriff’s department will question a person of interest in the case to learn more about what happened.
Cripps says they used technology, with assistance from other police agencies, to determine where the girl may be located. Ballard had left her home in the early morning hours of April 30th and is believed to have departed voluntarily. The sheriff’s department was notified at 8:20 Friday night that she had been found safe.
Ballard was considered an Endangered Missing Person, and at the request of the sheriff’s department, the State of Illinois issued an Endangered Missing Person Advisory.
The girl’s family is now on their way to Missouri to pick her up.
Cripps is thanking all law enforcement agencies involved for their help.
Photo of 13-year-old Hope Ballard, who has been reported missing.