SANTA CLAUS — A multi-state search for a 15-year-old girl reported missing has come to an end after law enforcement located her in Florida, police say.
The girl had been reported missing from Santa Claus in Spencer County July 21 and was found late Sunday in a Jacksonville, Fla. apartment, according to the Santa Claus Police Department.
Law enforcement agencies on the local, state and federal levels became involved in the search after police received information indicating she had left Indiana. The U.S. Marshals Service and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children assisted.
Santa Claus Police Chief James Faulkenburg told WRTV the apartment where police found the girl was also occupied by two other people: a man and a woman. Both those individuals are under investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, a joint city-county law enforcement agency.
The girl was removed from the apartment "without incident" after Santa Claus police coordinated a law enforcement response at the building.
Faulkenburg credited assisting law enforcement agencies for their contributions to the search and investigations. He also thanked members of the public for providing tips to police.
"The Santa Claus Police Department encourages all parents, and guardians, to closely monitor their loved ones' internet activity on all social media platforms," Faulkenburg wrote in a statement. "Open dialogue with our kiddos on their online activity is essential to our efforts in keeping them safe."
-
Caitlin Clark named 2025 WNBA All-Star Game Captain
Exciting news for Indiana Fever fans: Caitlin Clark has been named one of the captains for the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game.
Two 19-year-old males found shot dead on north side of Indianapolis
Two men were found fatally shot on the north side of Indianapolis on Sunday morning. This follows a violent weekend in the city, with five fatalities from separate shootings reported.
One dead, one injured in shooting at Thatcher Park
A shooting at Thatcher Park, on Indy's west side, left one person dead and another person critically injured Saturday evening, police said.
2 dead in triple shooting on Indy's east side; 2 charged
Three people were shot on the east side of Indianapolis on Saturday, with two listed in critical condition. Police said two suspects have been taken into custody.
