N.J. State Police finds missing JB MDL teen

Published May 9, 2013
By Senior Master Sgt. Denise Johnson
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Officials at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst announced that the New Jersey State Police found the missing 13-year-old military family member, at approximately 11 a.m. today.

N.J. State Police found her near the Red Lion Barracks State Police Facility in Southampton, N.J., when a driver phoned the barracks to report a young girl walking along Route 206.

Trooper Nicholas Renna responded to the scene where he confirmed the individual was the missing teen. Renna brought the missing child to the facility after which she was released to joint-base officials who reunited the teen with her family.

The 13-year-old was last seen getting off her school bus near Ash St. at 3 p.m. in the base housing area on May 8, 2013. Her mother reported the child as missing when she didn't return home at approximately 5:30 p.m. to the Joint Base Police Department.

Under the direction of Chief Todd Harris, the incident commander, base emergency responders immediately responded and worked closely with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, the MDL neighborhood watch and volunteers to search for the missing girl. An organized search party was initiated shortly after the incident to conduct a door-to-door search of the base housing area.

"Our Joint Base Defenders are comprehensively trained to respond to situations such as this one," said Capt. Shannon O'Neal, 87th Security Forces Squadron Operations officer in charge. "When we received the initial report that she was missing, our defenders went into action and immediately implemented emergency-response procedures. The expertise and capabilities our military and civilian defenders brought to the table helped us put all the necessary plans into action to expedite her safe return."

The joint base also initiated its mass notification procedures to help disseminate the missing child report through notification systems, emails, phone calls and the base's social media sites.

The extensive search of the installation, mass notification and numerous tips yielded no results and led authorities to expand the search to local towns and communities throughout the state.

"The collaborative partnership we maintain with our civilian counterparts was critical during the search operations and proved invaluable as we brought this search to a positive conclusion," O'Neal said. "We shared a common mission and a common goal throughout the past 18 hours to bring her home."

As in civilian sectors, jurisdiction authority lies with the "owner" of the geographical area on which the incident occurred. The missing child's disappearance and last known whereabouts were on the military installation, thus the joint base maintained jurisdiction over the case.

"We have worked side-by-side with the joint base authorities for many years," said Red Lion Station Commander, Lieutenant Steven Saiia. "Our close cooperation allows us to share critical information without an adjustment period. We rely on that relationship to bring a positive conclusion to emergency situations in the community. The safe return of the missing child today validates that cooperation."

Several unconfirmed sightings of the missing child in or near Pemberton Township, N.J., were reported within hours of the initial search efforts. Authorities followed several strong leads which eventually led to the safe recovery of the missing girl.

"Our Civilian and Military emergency responders reacted quickly, we remained hopeful and used every resource available to conduct the search," said Col. John Wood, JB MDL commander. "To see the many volunteers, as well as the neighborhood watch, jump into action, go door to door and street to street ... it's quite impressive and we are fortunate to live in a great military community."

The teen's disappearance is still under investigation.

For up-to-date joint base information, visit www.jointbasemdl.af.mil, www.facebook.com/jbmdl or www.flickr.com/jointbasemdl.