Missing juvenile found safe after multi-agency search

A missing juvenile was found unharmed on July 8 after an extensive multi-agency search that began in Sparta Township and ended in Andover Township, police said.

Sparta police received a report at 5:21 p.m. that a 12-year-old female had left home earlier in the day and failed to return.

Upon receiving the information, Sparta officers conducted a town-wide search while detectives and supervisors coordinated search efforts and followed up on leads. When it became apparent the juvenile may have traveled outside of Sparta, information was disseminated to surrounding law enforcement agencies.

A regional Be on the Lookout alert (BOLO) was issued, and the girl was entered into the National Crime Information Center as a missing person. Based on information distributed during the investigation, police officers from Andover Township recognized the juvenile.

As a result, the search focused on Andover. and the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office deployed a K-9 team to assist.

The K-9 team searched the area while Det. Erik Soroka of the Newton Police Department operated his department’s drone equipped with thermal imaging to search the surrounding wooded terrain. The drone located the girl along a wooded tree line and she was found unharmed by Andover police. Evaluated by EMS as a precaution, she was reunited with her family.

“Our officers had previously seen the juvenile walking in the area,” said Andover Township Chief of Police Eric Danielson. “Based on the BOLO from Sparta, they went to the area where they last saw the juvenile. In coordination with the drone from Newton operated by [Newton] Det. Soroka, our guy on the ground — Sgt. Robert Youngs — was able to locate the juvenile in a wooded area.”

Though Soroka could not be reached for comment, his department played a key role in the search.

“We were grateful to have the equipment and personnel available to assist and are pleased that the coordinated multi-agency response resulted in the juvenile being located safely,” said Newton Lt. Jared Zappa.

Sparta police Capt. Thomas Snyder said the girl was missing for just over two hours.

“The report was received by Sparta Township Police at approximately 5:25 p.m., and the juvenile was safely located at approximately 7:38 p.m. thanks to the rapid response and coordinated efforts of all agencies involved,” Snyder said. “This incident is an excellent example of how effective communication and strong partnerships between law enforcement agencies can lead to a successful outcome.”