Between 100 and 200 people helped with a ground search today (Wednesday) in Lees Lake, scouring the area where Jettie Edwards disappeared Tuesday night.
Sheriff Bill Rogers said a helicopter, drones and a private airplane owned by Kyle Peacock spent hours searching the entire area around the 9000 block of Hallsboro Road South. The intensive ground search had volunteers and search crews walking around 20 feet apart, seeking any clue as to the girl’s disappearance.
“I do not think she is out here,” Rogers said.
Jettie, 15, left her home around 9 p.m. Tuesday. She was wearing jeans and a pink sweatshirt, and may be barefooted or wearing tan shoes. She is 5’2” tall, weighs 105 pounds and has dark hair. The girl has autism, Rogers said, noting that family members said she as the mental capacity of an eight-year-old.
Hypothermia has become a major concern, Rogers said. Temperatures in the search area fell to the 20s Tuesday night, and will be below freezing tonight. Crews went home around 3 a.m. after checking ponds, marl pits and other areas in the search zone. They returned just after 8 a.m.
Cadaver dogs searched the ponds and pits in the area, Rogers said, and found no sign of the girl. Mantracking dogs followed scent trails to a pond and to a nearby paved road Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
The girl has run away before, Rogers said, and was found hiding under a porch.
“She was not dressed for the cold, and I strongly suspect she was trying to find someplace warm if she was still out barefooted last night,” he said.
Rogers said multiple volunteers have stepped up to help with the search, and more might be needed Thursday. He said the best way to help is to share Jettie’s photo on social media.
“We’re hoping if she got picked up, that someone will have seen her in a store or somewhere,” Rogers said. “If people will just keep on sharing, and keep on praying for the family. We want to bring her safely home.”
If you have any information about Jettie’s whereabouts, call 911.
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