BROOKLYN GITTENS - 13 yo - Herriman UT

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=23677858&nid=148&title=13-year-old-girl-missing-in-herriman-police-conducting-search&s_cid=featured-1

HERRIMAN — Concern heightened as the sun set Wednesday on the search for a 13-year-old girl last seen in her bedroom Tuesday night.

If the girl isn't found by Thursday morning, police and the family are looking to dramatically increase the search, calling for volunteers to join them.

Brooklyn Gittins was in her home, 13912 S. Friendship Drive (5755 West), when she went to bed at 8:40 p.m., said Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal. But when her parents went to check on her at 7 a.m. Wednesday, she was gone.

"We've checked all the places she would normally go," Hoyal said.

Brooklyn is believed to only be wearing black pajama pants with a Scottie dog pattern and a T-shirt with "Lake Powell" on it. She does not have her glasses with her, something Hoyal said is uncommon for the girl."We're concerned that she is out in the elements and it's been extremely cold," he said.

Craig Hiller, Brooklyn's grandfather, said the family is especially concerned the teen isn't prepared to be outside and appears to have left without even putting on shoes.

Hiller is asking Utahns to think about what they would do if their daughter or sister went missing, then join volunteers in the search.

"We're just trying to figure out where she could have gone," he said. "It's just not like her."

In a plea Wednesday night, Hiller said he hopes his granddaughter is staying with a friend or acquaintance rather than braving the elements, and he encouraged Brooklyn or anyone who may be caring for her to contact the family.

"If you're listening, we want you back, Brooklyn," he said. "All we ask is you call."

Hiller said he hopes his granddaughter knows no one is upset, and he doesn't believe any family strife surrounded the disappearance.

Salt Lake County Sheriff Jim Winder said a tip line has been set up at 801-743-7280. Volunteers will deploy at 8 a.m. Thursday morning from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stake center at 5562 W. 13680 South.

If you're listening, we want you back, Brooklyn. All we ask is you call.
–Craig Hiller, Brooklyn's grandfather
Searchers must bring photo ID and have been asked to dress for the cold weather.

Friends described Brooklyn as a straight-A student, saying they are "heartbroken" by her disappearance.

Hoyal said he was not aware of any signs of a possible break-in at the house, and no one in the home heard anything suspicious Tuesday night. He said investigators are still looking at all possibilities about what may have happened to Brooklyn.

Detectives have also made reverse 911 calls in the area to alert residents to the missing girl and officers have gone door-to-door. Her house borders a popular walking trail.

Brooklyn is a white female, about 5 feet tall and 115 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 801-743-7000.

An endangered missing person alert has been issued for a
13-year-old girl last seen in her bedroom Tuesday night.
Brooklyn Gittins was in her home, 13912 S. Friendship Drive
(5755 West), when she went to bed at 8:40 p.m., said
Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal. (Photo: Family Photo)

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=23677858&nid=148

HERRIMAN, Utah – Unified Police and volunteers are mobilizing a large search Thursday morning for a missing Herriman teenager.
13-year-old Brooklyn Gittins is considered endangered and UPD is asking for as many volunteers as possible to gather at the LDS wardhouse at 13680 South, 5600 West at 8 a.m. to help find the teen.
She was last seen in her bedroom wearing pajamas Tuesday night. When he family awakened Wednesday morning, Brooklyn was gone. With no sign of forced entry, police and family members believe she ran away during the night.
Her grandfather Craig Hiller pleaded, “Brooklyn, if you’re listening, please come home. We want you back Brooklyn. We need you to come home. We’re not mad, nothing will happen.”
Hiller says there wasn’t an argument or anything specific that would have led the teen to leave and police say her disappearance is unusual.
“We’ve contacted all her friends and no one’s heard from her,” said Unified Lt. Justin Hoyal.
About 60 police officers joined dozens of volunteers searching throughout Herriman neighborhoods for the girl.
“We have the DPS helicopter and canine units canvassing the area. We’ve also had ground searches,” said Sheriff Jim Winder.
Police say Gittins is wearing only pajamas, a t-shirt and doesn’t have shoes or her glasses.
“We’re concerned with how she was dressed as the sheriff said, and that she’s found before anything else can happen to her,” said Hiller.
Brooklyn Gittens is 13 years old, 5 feet tall, 110 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing black pajamas and a gray t-shirt with a Lake Powell logo.
If you have tips that can help find this girl, please call Unified Police at 801-743-7280.
http://fox13now.com/2013/01/09/girl-reported-missing-in-herriman/

Missing Utah Teen Brooklyn Gittins Found, Police Call Disappearance 'Suspicious'




By KEVIN DOLAK (@kdolak)
Jan. 11, 2013

The frantic search for a missing 13-year-old in Utah came to a close overnight after police found the teenager who disappeared with no cellphone, shoes or even a coat at a local Walmart. But what looks like a case of a teen runaway is being called suspicious by police.

Brooklyn Gittins' family said the young girl went to bed Tuesday night wearing her pajamas. When they awoke, she was gone, and even her trademark eyeglasses were left behind. She contacted her family late Thursday night.

Lt. Justin Hoyal of Salt Lake Unified Police told ABCNews.com that she is safe at home now.

"We believe that she did leave her house on Tuesday evening, and somebody picked her up and harbored her for the last two and a half days. We're going to investigate," he said. "She's 13 years old, and for someone to hold her is wrong. We'll do everything to find the person and bring [that person] to justice."

Brooklyn was unharmed and was still wearing her gray T-shirt and black pajama pants. She had no shoes or coat, and was not wearing her glasses.

"Brooklyn called her grandmother about 11:30 p.m. and told her that she was at the Walmart in South Jordan," Salt Lake police said. "Her grandmother then called Utah police department. We responded to the Walmart and located Brooklyn.

"The disappearance is suspicious and we are still investigating where she went and who she was with."

Police say there were no signs of forced entry in her home outside Salt Lake City, and none of the straight-A student's friends had heard from her after she vanished.

"There are elements of this case that are extremely concerting. We are hopeful that, however, that this is simply a runaway," police said Thursday.

Brooklyn has gone missing before. Her family says she ran away last summer, but soon returned

More than 500 volunteers, as well as dog teams, fanned out Thursday to search the area near Brooklyn's home. But authorities sent the volunteers home overnight, saying the storm that brought all the heavy snow was too dangerous.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/missing-utah-teen-brooklyn-gittins-found-police-call/story?id=18188430