DELPHI, Ind. -- An Amber Alert for two missing Carroll County girls wouldn't have helped in this case, Indiana State Police Sgt. Kim Riley said Wednesday morning.
He also said it didn't meet the necessary criteria for an Amber Alert anyway.
"Even if we would've put an Amber Alert out, it would not have done this case any good," Riley said. "In the short period of time, and the location that the bodies were found, it would not have helped us in finding any leads at all."
Liberty German, 14, and Abigail Williams, 13, were last seen around 1 p.m. Monday when they were dropped off near the Monon High Bridge off east of Delphi, Indiana.
The girls were supposed to meet at the bridge to be picked up later in the day, but never showed up.
Two bodies were found Tuesday afternoon and authorities positively identified them as Williams and German Wednesday afternoon following an autopsy performed in Terre Haute.
For an Amber Alert to be issued, it must meet the following criteria set by the U.S. Department of Justice:
- There is reasonable belief by law enforcement that an abduction has occurred
- The law enforcement agency believes that the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death
- There is enough descriptive information about the victim and the abduction for law enforcement to issue an AMBER Alert to assist in the recovery of the child
- The victim of the abduction is a child aged 17 years or younger
- The child's name and other critical elements, including Child Abduction flag, have been entered into the National Crime Information Center system
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Riley also gave advice for people who are concerned about the crime.
"Be cautious and be careful and be parents," he said. "Just make sure they know where their children are at, what their children are doing and -- if nothing else -- know what's going on in their lives."
READ MORE | Bodies of two girls found during search in Carroll County | Community in shock after teens go missing | MAP: Where the bodies of two girls were found near Delphi, Indiana
Anyone with information about the girls' disappearance is asked to contact the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office at (765) 564-2413.
