LINN — A teenage girl who ran into the woods after an argument with her mother was found safely within an hour last Wednesday afternoon after a coordinated search by the Linn Police Department and the Osage County Sheriff’s Office.

Osage County Sheriff Michael Bonham said his office was brought into the search shortly after Linn PD responded to the initial call. “On Wednesday afternoon, Linn PD was called for a missing child that ran away. Our office was asked to assist,” he said. “The juvenile got into an altercation with mom, assaulting her. She jumps out of the vehicle there at Thriftway/McDonalds parking lot runs into the woods.”

Linn PD requested the sheriff’s drone to assist with the search.

“The drone was dispatched, and she was located just behind the firehouse,” Bonham said.

Linn Police Chief Sam Ford said the drone could not see well through the trees. “The canopy’s still pretty thick, so the drone really wasn’t picking up much,” he said.

Instead, the girl was located by Linn’s compliance officer during the ground search.

Ford confirmed she was found quickly. “(She) was not entered as a missing person, as she was found within one hour of the initial call,” he said.

Once officers reached her, Ford said Officer Chrisenberry approached carefully. Reading from the report, he said, “Chrisenberry advised the juvenile we’re there to help. She was not in trouble. We just needed to make sure she was safe.”

Ford said his officers are CIT-certified, referring to the Crisis Intervention Team, and adjusted their approach based on her fearful or timid behavior.

During the contact, the girl disclosed she had been sexually assaulted by a family member in Jefferson City. Because the disclosure involved a juvenile victim and occurred outside Osage County, Linn PD contacted the appropriate agencies for followup.

After speaking with the girl and her mother at the scene, officers determined she needed immediate help. EMS responded and transported the girl to St. Mary’s Hospital in Jefferson City for evaluation.

Ford said the cooperation between the two agencies is routine and essential during time-sensitive incidents. “It was a joint operation, which we do a lot with county,”he said. “ We share resources, and the sheriff and I have a really good relationship when it comes to helping each other out on incidents.”

He said the sheriff’s office also activated its K-9 unit, though the girl was found before the dog arrived.

Bonham said the incident again demonstrated the value of the county’s equipment. “It’s just another example of how important that technology is to our county, and we’re thankful that we have it,” he said.

Both agencies noted they routinely support each other during calls where manpower and specialized equipment can make a difference. Ford said the partnership is longstanding and practical. “Through the help of the added personnel and equipment assets provided by the sheriff’s department, we were able to safely locate this girl and rejoin her with her family,” he said. “We work really well together.”

No names can be released due to the age of the juvenile, who Bonham estimated was approximately 14 years old. The matter remains under the jurisdiction of the Jefferson City Police Department and the Department of Family Services.