Jessica Ridgeway Search: Police find body in Colorado, not saying if it's linked to missing 10-year-old girl

(CBS/AP) DENVER - A body was discovered near an open space area in the Denver suburb of Arvada during the search for missing 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway, authorities said Wednesday.

Pictures: Ten-year-old Colorado girl missing

Westminster police spokesman Trevor Materasso said that police are currently unable to connect the body to the disappearance of the Colorado girl, who was last seen by her mother leaving for school Friday.

Materasso didn't release the gender or approximate age of the body.

The Pattridge Park open space area south of the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge is dotted with abandoned coal mines. The area is favored by road bikers and model airplane flyers on weekends.

It is about seven miles southwest of Jessica's home and several miles south of where Jessica's backpack was found in Superior. Jessica's father, who lives in Independence, Mo., and mother have pleaded for her safe return.

This discovery comes after police made a news conference earlier in the afternoon, saying they believe Jessica was kidnapped by an "unknown suspect." The Westminster Police Department plans to release more information Thursday.

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