Officials with the Oscada County Sheriff's Office said deputies were searching Monday for Gabriella Vitale after family members lost track of the girl.
What a trooper! The searchers are all clearing and the command center is packing up. pic.twitter.com/cUnUGN6dza
— @MSPNorthernMI (@mspnorthernmi) July 16, 2019
Update 12:50 p.m. EDT July 16: Authorities told WXYZ that Gabriella was found after she walked up to a home about a quarter- or a half-mile away from the area where she was last seen Monday morning.
"She is missing her bottoms and her shoes, but seems relatively unfazed for a 2-year-old who has been in the woods that long," Michigan State Police Lt. Travis House told WJRT.
House said a person who was home knew about Gabriella's disappearance and called authorities after finding her.
"She's been without water probably for more than 24 hours," House told told WJRT. "They want to get her in and get her checked out ... but the first responders who have been with her say that she's in good shape."
Update 11:45 a.m. EDT July 16: Police said Gabriella was found alive. No additional details were immediately available.
Great news!!! Gabriella has been found alive. Details to follow when available.
— @MSPNorthernMI (@mspnorthernmi) July 16, 2019
Original report: Authorities in Michigan are searching for a 2-year-old girl who reportedly vanished from an Oscoda County campsite Monday morning.
MSP, the Oscoda County Sheriff's Office, and the DNR are mounting a search for 2-year-old Gabrielle Vitale. She wandered from her camp site on Reber Rd west of M-33 this morning, and hasn't been seen since. Anyone with info should contact police ASAP. pic.twitter.com/6mnDjuftO5
— @MSPNorthernMI (@mspnorthernmi) July 15, 2019
Correction on her name spelling... Gabriella Roselynn Vitale. Her family is from the MONROE area. Very emotional situation for them...and all who are searching for her.
— @MSPNorthernMI (@mspnorthernmi) July 15, 2019
According to the Oscoda County Sheriff's Office, family members of Gabriella Vitale, 2, of the Monroe area, "lost track" of the girl as they were getting ready to leave the campsite near state Highway 33 and Reber Road. They reported her missing about 8:15 a.m., authorities said.
By late Monday, search crews, including deputies, state troopers, police dogs, a police helicopter and Michigan Department of Natural Resources officers, had not found the child, authorities said.
The amount of volunteer Search and Rescue teams who’ve reported to the command center is remarkable. Plans are being made for overnight and first thing in the morning. Keep Gabriella and her family in your thoughts as the search continues. pic.twitter.com/49Mw29Qa8Y
— @MSPNorthernMI (@mspnorthernmi) July 16, 2019
Gabriella was wearing a pink zip-up coat, a gray shirt, pink bottoms and tennis shoes when she disappeared, the Sheriff's Office said. Authorities later found the coat "several hundred yards southeast of where she went missing," Michigan State Police said.
Gabriella’s pink jacket has been found several hundred yards south east of where she went missing. That means she’ll be in the gray shirt. Thanks to neighbors who are on the lookout...call dispatch with info. If you find clothing, please don’t touch (to keep your scent off).
— @MSPNorthernMI (@mspnorthernmi) July 15, 2019
Gabriella "may have autism," WWTV reported.
If you have any information about Gabriella's whereabouts, call 989-826-3214.
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