Emily Barger: Missing Indiana girl, 14, who was believed to be in 'extreme danger' found safe
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GEORGETOWN, INDIANA: Indiana State Police have lifted the Silver Alert for an Indiana teenager who disappeared from her home Monday, March 6. According to police and family, the 14-year-old girl was last seen at 1.am Monday in Georgetown, Indiana, and was initially considered to be in "extreme danger."
The alert was canceled by the ISP on Wednesday, March 8. The Floyd County Sheriff's Office also shared on Facebook that Barger was found safe and sound in Attica, Indiana, about three hours from Georgetown. According to authorities, her father, Shawn Barger, is with her now. Attica is located in Fountain County, Indiana, about 40 miles southwest of Lafayette, WDRB reports.
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Who is Terry Ross Jr?
According to the sheriff's department, local police will consult with the Floyd County Prosecutor's Office about possible local charges. The Floyd County Sheriff's Department has identified 18-year-old Terry Ross Jr as a person of interest in connection with Barger's disappearance, according to the Tribune-Star. "Throughout our investigation it shows he might have been with her, just a person of interest to follow up on that lead. We need to talk to him and see what he has to say. Like numerous other people, we just follow those leads to hopefully get information to be able to locate her," Floyd County Sheriff Steve Bush said.
What is Silver Alert?
The police had issued a Silver Alert for Emily Barger. There are certain criteria that a person's disappearance must meet in order for police to issue an Amber Alert or Silver Alert. Amber Alerts are issued for children under the age of 18 who are believed to have been abducted and are in danger. In order to issue an Amber Alert, police must also have details about the suspect and their vehicle.
Silver Alerts are issued for missing or endangered persons or children. They are far more common for missing persons. Just last year, the criteria for Silver Alerts were expanded to include children. In both cases, these warnings must be issued by police, WTHR reports.
"We appreciate the assistance of several local, state and federal law enforcement agencies," says the Facebook post by the police department. "In addition, we appreciate the assistance of local media outlets, but most importantly our community that never fails to assist when called upon," the post read.
How did Emily Barger disappear?
Emily's father, Shawn Barger, has shared a lot of information about his daughter and the events surrounding her disappearance on Facebook. On Monday morning, he shared that his daughter's bed was empty, but her phone was in the house. Later, the father wrote in his post that he believed the girl was with a man who may be driving a red truck. "This is the guy that took my daughter there is still no contact with her and have been unsuccessful on locating him please help if anyone sees him she is not safe and this is not a good guy," the father posted.
'Please get home I love you'
Emily's father later begged his daughter to return home in a separate post, "If you can see this in any way please come home you are in no trouble and I love and miss you very much you have tons of family and friends out looking for you wanting to get you home," the worried father wrote in one post. "Please go to a gas station anywhere and tell them you need to get home call the police or me or anyone just please get home I love you," the father said.
'We have custody of Emily'
After Emily was located safe, Shawn, who is now relieved said on Facebook, "We have custody of Emily swat team got guy we are in Attica in." People are now leaving loving comments on his post, labeling it the "best news of the day." "What a crazy, scary, overly emotional week!!! a person who knows Shawn wrote on his page. "The relief that this kid was found safe and her dad can finally take a breath….. when you see the words 'we got her!'" Another person wrote, "I am so glad that Emily has been found and it's home safe. Thank you God. And I will continue to pray for you all and hope that you all can get some rest."