Missing girl found in Carroll Twp.

By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com

A young girl who ran away from a summer youth program at the Mon Valley YMCA was only missing for a short time Monday thanks to the efforts of area first responders.

Mon Valley Independent staff photographer Jenn Codeluppi was with first responders and search dogs from Lock 4 Volunteer Fire Company, as well as YMCA staff, when the 11-year-old girl was found safe 40 to 50 yards beyond the wood line on the Northwest corner of the YMCA’s property in Carroll Township.

“This afternoon a young girl ran away from our Summer Teen Club program,” Mon Valley YMCA said in a prepared statement Monday evening. “Staff immediately began searching for the young girl and also contacted the Carroll Township Police Department, who assisted in the search. We are very happy that she was found safe and unharmed a short time later.”

Carroll Township firefighters on scene said the report of a missing child came in at 3:55 p.m. and the girl was located at 4:52 p.m.

Carroll Township police officer Mike Fendya said the girl is from Monessen, but other information related to her identity wasn’t released because she is a juvenile.

In its statement, Mon Valley YMCA said “the safety and well-being of children in our care always has been and always will be our top priority.”

“As with any incident, we will conduct an internal investigation to review child monitoring and safety practices to ensure they continue to align with best-in-class standards,” Mon Valley YMCA stated.

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