Missing Maryland girl Jasmine Leighlin Baker, who disappeared last Tuesday after leaving home for school, was found safe in North Carolina on Friday, and authorities say that they used digital forensics as well as help from the public in order to find her.
The 12-year old was tracked to a home with a man in his 30’s, who is in custody with charges pending. Authorities have not released his identity or specified how they found her, but did say that they were able to use her iPod and Xbox to aid their search. Baker has allegedly been in contact with older men before via text and social media, but investigators have not said what her relationship to the man is.
“The only thing that matters at this point is she does look and appear to be OK. We’ve seen her smile,” said grandfather Merrill Bittner.
The family held a planned vigil on Saturday which Baker attended as friends and family convened to welcome her home.
The news that Baker was found alive and well came as a relief to the community; just one week ago, a young woman who was violently abducted in Philadelphia was found alive in Maryland, and after the tragic news of Hannah Graham’s abduction and murder, residents are glad to see a happy ending.