12-year-old girl returns home after missing for three days, police say
A 12-year-old girl who sparked a widespread search in Minneapolis has returned home.
"It was her, and I screamed, and I grabbed her, and I embraced her. I'm still in disbelief. But we are so grateful," said the girl's mom. "People's kids don't come home. We are grateful that ours did."
Chief Brian O'Hara said the girl was home safe with her family after going missing Saturday.
Family members' concerns over a lack of insulin for the girl led to heightened search efforts.
"It's a moment of immense relief," said O'Hara.
The 12-year-old went missing from the Minnehaha Falls area around 8 p.m. Saturday, according to the Minneapolis Police Department.
"I think our entire city right now is breathing a sigh of relief," said Mayor Jacob Frey. "Thankfully, gratefully, we have a happy ending."
Officials say the girl returned home Tuesday with a friend and the friend's parent.
"At this time, it appears she was at a friend's house," said O'Hara. "It's a place police had visited multiple times. It's a place the stepmother had been in communication with."
Authorities said they will continue investigating, but believe she ran away from home.
"I want to give a huge thank you to everyone who has been part of this effort," said Frey.