Police find missing student

A 15- year- old girl who became the focus of a search involving more than 100 law enforcement officers in Lakewood says she has no idea how she ended up at a Walmart Supercenter more than five hours after she went missing.

“We are still treating it as a possible abduction until we find something that discounts that,” Lakewood police spokesman Steve Davis said Monday.

Police said they were continuing to interview the girl, who said she was abducted and assaulted.

The frantic search ended within minutes after an Amber Alert was issued when the girl called police fromthe Walmart at 440 Wadsworth Blvd. to let them know she was safe. Her name had been released, but because the case involves an alleged assault, The Denver Post is withholding her name.

Police had deemed her disappearance suspicious after her phone was found 300 yards from her home in Kent Knutson Park. Her backpack was found in her front yard.

The teen, who attends Lakewood High School, was last seen around 7: 15 a. m. in the 12100 block of West Nevada Drive.

She was waiting for her brother to pick her up for school when she disappeared, Davis said. Her mother called 911 after she found the backpack, he said.

The girl was taken to the Lakewood police station to be interviewed, he said.

Officers from several law enforcement agencies including Lakewood police, the FBI, State Patrol and Jefferson and Elbert counties converged on the park to search for her. Crime scene tape ringed the park as officers canvassed a 1- square- mile area. A police- dog unit also helped with the search, and crime scene technicians processed her brother’s car in a high school parking lot.

Police said the girl does not have a history of running away. Late in the day, police said they were still interviewing the girl, trying to clarify how she got to the store and what happened to her.

The girl’s description of her abductor was vague. Investigators were working with Walmart to obtain and review video surveillance.

“We know this may be a concern for parents sending children to school tomorrow.” Jeffco Schools said in an e- mail to families of students. “This is a good opportunity to talk with your child about safety.”

The school district urged families and students to remain vigilant and notify police at 303- 987- 5412 if they have any information or possible leads.