ANDERSON, Ind. — Police in Anderson confirmed a missing 16-year-old girl last seen Dec. 8 has been found safe.
According to police, mother Kristen Johnson told police that she received a message from her missing daughter, Jayda Johnson, on Sunday, Dec. 26. Jayda reportedly told Kristen she was in a café in Santa Monica, California.
Officers with the Santa Monica Police Department were able to locate Jayda and place her into their custody without incident. She was then released to the Department of Children and Family Services to be reunited with her mother.
According to Kristen, police pinged her phone shortly after 5:30 a.m. on Dec. 9 and it was in St. Louis. Since then, her phone has been turned off.
Police contacted law enforcement in Missouri and gave them the location of the pinged phone. The agencies checked two locations but did not find Jayda.
Kristen said she didn't know why Jayda would be in St. Louis but said someone would have had to pick her up. Kristen also said she believes Jayda recently met someone online but wasn't sure how serious the relationship was.
Amber Alerts vs. Silver Alerts: What's the difference?
There are specific standards a person's disappearance must meet in order for police to declare an Amber Alert or a Silver Alert.
Amber Alerts are for children under the age of 18 who are believed to have been abducted and in danger. Police also need to have information about a suspect and their car to issue an Amber Alert.
Silver Alerts are for missing and endangered adults or children. They are much more common for missing people. It was not until last year when the standards for Silver Alerts were expanded to include children.
In both situations, these alerts must be issued by police.
