Missing girl, 12, from B.C.’s Southern Interior safely found, say RCMP

A missing girl from B.C.’s Southern Interior has been safely located, RCMP announced Tuesday morning.

It’s believed the girl, 12, ran away from her home in Keremeos, along with a friend, a 17-year-old boy.

Police issued the missing person bulletin on Monday afternoon, stating the girl was thought to be travelling to the Lower Mainland in the boy’s car.

A family member told Global News that the families have connections to the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island.

RCMP believed no foul play was involved, nor was the girl in imminent danger, with one family member telling Global News they believed the two ran away together.

Both children left notes for their respective parents asking not to look for them, adding they love their families.

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It’s thought they left Keremeos around 4 a.m., with their families reporting them missing by 8 a.m.

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On Tuesday, RCMP told Global News that police in Alert Bay were working with the Ministry of Children and Family Development and the girl’s mother.

The girl’s mother told Global News she was furious that police refused to stay with her child overnight, instead allowing her to sleep at a house belonging to a family member of the boy.

“She’s a minor and she is not safe until she is home with me,” the mother said.

Police say they were not in a position to hold a 12-year-old girl at the Alert Bay detachment overnight, with the ministry then being consulted.