Calgary police said a nine-year-old girl who went missing Thursday was found safe Friday afternoon.
Police said the girl was found at a home in southwest Calgary after residents of the house notified police of her whereabouts.
“Right now, she’s good, she’s safe,” Insp. Cory Dayley said.
“Her motivation for not returning home and her connection to the people in the house is still unclear at this time.”
Police said detectives who specialize in cases involving children were speaking to the girl to make sure she receives necessary support.
“We obviously want to know why she decided to go for a walk, what those motivations were, as I previously indicated, and just ensure that everything that occurred with her last night is okay,” Dayley said.
The search for the girl, who went missing from the community of Braeside, involved a significant number of officers, volunteers from the Bear Clan Patrol and residents who were checking their neighbourhoods, police said.
“Days like this are hard on everyone involved in the search and we are so thankful that she is now safe,” Dayley said. “No nine-year-old child should be wandering around alone in the middle of the night, and we are glad that she has been found.
“Seeing the community step up to help through this has been so encouraging and we are glad groups like the Bear Clan Patrol offered to join us. Calgary is still a very caring city and I am proud of how quickly people stepped up to help bring this girl home.”
Police said search teams looked for clues in Braeside and surrounding communities as well as speaking to friends and family members. The search expanded Friday morning to include Fish Creek Park, North Glenmore Park and in the area around Chinook Centre as investigators received more information.
Daley said it is not yet known if the girl previously knew the people at the residence where she was located.