Search for missing Colorado girl continues, local vigil to be held

Jessica Ridgeway, Missing from Westminster, Colorado, Oct. 5, 2012 | Photo courtesy of Audra Bennion, Missing Child Advocate
Jessica Ridgeway, reported missing from her home in Colorado on Oct, 5, 2012 | Photo courtesy of the Westminster Police Department

The search for 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway continues after an Amber Alert was issued for the missing girl Friday. A vigil for Ridgeway is being observed Tuesday night  in St. George.

More than 800 volunteers aided Westminster Police on Saturday in searching for the girl, but nothing was found at the time. According to the Associated Press, police did find Ridgeway’s backpack miles from her last known location Monday.

Ridgeway was last seen leaving to meet with friends on the way to school. She disappeared somewhere between her home and where her friends were waiting. Police are seeking any information that can help locate Ridgeway. Her father resides in Missouri and police have been in contact with him. While there is a custody dispute involving Ridgeway and her parents, police do not believe the father is responsible for the girl’s disappearance.

The Westminster Police Department has released several photos of Ridgeway on its Facebook page, as well as a short video to help people recognize her better.

Jessica Ridgeway, date unknown | Photo courtesy of the Westminster Police Department

Description:

Date of birth: Jan, 23, 2002 (10 years old)
Missing since: Oct. 5, 2012
Height: 4 feet 10 inches
Race: Caucasian
Sex: Female
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Blonde
Weight: 80 pounds

Westminster Police added, “Jessica has a noticeable gap between her two front upper teeth. She also has a sore on the bridge of her nose, just below her glasses that does not heal.”

Anyone with information concerning the possible whereabouts of Ridgeway is asked to call the Westminster Police at 303-658-4427, or 303-658-3446.

Individuals can also visit the Jessica Ridgeway Facebook page.

1100 East Park vigil

Missing child advocate Audra Bennion, of St. George, is planning a vigil for Ridgeway at the 1100 East Park by Harmon’s Market in St. George. The vigil will be held at 7 p.m. Participants are asked to bring flashlights and purple or green ribbons. Flyers of Ridgeway will be handed out for individuals to post in the area.

“I’ll be giving out flyers that can be posted around town, places like the port of entry, rest stops, gas stations, truck stops,” Bennuon said. “Anyone from surrounding areas is urged to join in the vigil so they can get flyers for free. We need to paint the whole USA with her photo as it’s been 4-point-5 days since she was last seen. As you know within that time frame should could be pretty far from Colorado by now. It won’t hurt to post her anywhere we can.”

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @MoriKessler

Copyright St. George News, 2012, all rights reserved.

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4 Comments

  • Cimarron chacon October 9, 2012 at 1:51 pm

    Is there information on which neighborhood or area of town the girl was from?

    • Avatar photo Mori Kessler October 9, 2012 at 1:58 pm

      The girl is from the Westminster area of Colorado. Though she and her family at not local, there is a possibility that she may pass through Southern Utah via I-15. Ridgeway has been missing since Friday and Westminster Police suspect Ridgeway may have been kidnapped. If this suspicion is correct, the girl could have been taken anywhere.

  • Murat October 9, 2012 at 2:02 pm

    This is a good product for common consumers who have justifiable concerns about their children’s safety when they’re away:
    http://www.amberalertgps.com/product_device/device/
    My children all have GPS trackers embedded in their buttocks, but this technology isn’t yet available for mass consumption, so I approve of AmberAlert GPS in the meantime.

    • Murat October 9, 2012 at 5:07 pm

      I think you are despicable for censoring this comment, which is meant to help empower parents. Shame on you.

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