Police in Canton say they did a thorough search of her house at least twice, once using thermal imaging.
But, Chief Mike Eveland says two year old Chloe Russell ended up being found in her family’s home — hiding in a closet.
Police say it all started before 8:00 a.m. Thursday, when Russell was reported missing, and her family couldn’t find her.
That eventually resulted in at least eighteen different agencies being deployed to help look for her, starting in the 500 block of Custer Place, and also led to what police called an “unofficial but parallel effort” by area residents to locate her using social media and other means.
About eleven hours later, police say State Police Crime Scene Technicians looked one more time, and Russell was found in an upstairs closet.
Eveland says the girl was taken to a hospital for an evaluation, but is expected to be fine.
“It was heartening to see the community come together on a moment’s notice to volunteer to help locate Chloe,” said Eveland, in a news release. “Just the idea that everyone seemed willing to drop everything to walk the neighborhood to help us find her. That, and the many phone calls we received from people wanting to give us even the smallest information that could help us.”
He says there’s no evidence of any criminal activity.
“The only important part of yesterday’s events is that that little girl was found safe,” said Canton Mayor Kent McDowell, in a news release. “Our public safety departments and public works did an outstanding job working with the outside agencies to canvass the area for Chloe. I want to thank the mayors of Lewistown and Farmington for reaching out to assist. Seeing the community come together in a crisis for this little girl showed the positive aspects of living in a small midwestern community like ours.”
