PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

July 19, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

Media Request Form: https://police.slc.gov/mediarequest/

SLCPD Provides Update on Missing Child Safely Located

SALT LAKE CITY — Today, Salt Lake City Police officers safely located 12-year-old S.O.

Note: The child’s name is being redacted now that she is safe.

S.O. is now with her legal guardian.

Detectives have also confirmed S.O. ran away from home on Monday, July 17, 2023.

At approximately 3:40 a.m. on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, officers found S.O. at a home in the Poplar Grove neighborhood. The home belongs to the family of S.O.’s boyfriend. Because of his age, 13, the specific address is not being released.

When officers found S.O., they made sure she did not need medical attention for any physical injuries. Officers did not find any signs of physical injury or trauma.

This investigation started at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Monday, July 17, 2023, when S.O.’s family reported her missing.

SLCPD patrol officers met with her family and others who know her. They worked to gather information about her and started searching her neighborhood, several schools, and other places where S.O. may have gone.

During the initial investigation, patrol officers learned S.O. may have run away from her family.

Officers also reviewed footage from home security systems that appeared to show S.O.

Officers worked with detectives from the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Special Victims Unit to analyze the video and to collect additional video that provided more context.

Detectives confirmed the female running in the video was in fact S.O. They also confirmed the other person in the video was her boyfriend.

Throughout this investigation, officers and detectives quickly determined there was no evidence to suggest a kidnapping or that S.O. was in imminent danger.

Patrol officers and detectives continued, throughout the investigation, to regularly evaluate whether her disappearance met the criteria for a state-wide Amber Alert and determined it did not.

After being safely found, detectives spoke with S.O. who told them she in fact ran away but stayed nearby and received assistance from her boyfriend.

This case is not considered a criminal matter.

The Salt Lake City Police Department acknowledges all of the community members who shared S.O.’s photo on social media and who provided tips.

The Salt Lake City Police Department also acknowledges the officers and detectives who assisted on this case.

No further information is being released about this case and no interviews are being provided to respect the privacy of those involved.

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