INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — After two days of searching, more clues are turning up in the case of a missing Colorado 10-year-old girl who has ties to the Kansas City, Mo., area.
Family members, including the girl’s father, say they didn’t know about her disappearance until police arrived on their doorsteps Friday evening. The family says they immediately let officers in to search for clues since they have nothing to hide.
Ten-year-old Jessica Ridgeway disappeared Friday on her way to school in Superior, Colo. The school called Ridgeway’s mother and left a message, stating that her daughter did not show up for school. However, Ridgeway’s mother works the overnight shift and slept until 4:30 p.m. When she woke, she received the school’s message. Five hours later, around 9:30 p.m., police issued an Amber Alert.
Over the weekend about 800 volunteers helped police search the suburb of Westminster. On Sunday, a resident of another suburb about six miles away found Ridgeway’s backpack and water bottle in his yard. Police have since extended their search for the girl and are asking volunteers to stay home in hopes that blood hounds will pick up her scent and help locate her.
Some 600 miles away, police in Independence, Mo., paid a visit to some of Ridgeway’s relatives.
“The police showed up on my porch looking for Jeremiah, Jessica’s dad,” said Donna Moss, great-grandmother. She said police searched the house, but found no clues. Following the search, police in Colorado said they do not believe Ridgeway’s father had anything to do with her disappearance. As for Ridgeway’s father, he said he does not want to talk to media until his daughter is found. He said he is heart broken and is hoping they find her soon.
For Moss, the waiting game is painful.
“We are just waiting for them to call,” Moss added.
And until that call comes, Moss says all she can do is pray.
“Please, God, get her home safely,” she said. “Jessica, if you can hear me, just know we love you and we are waiting for you to come home.”
