Mineral County Sheriff statement on Kelsey Ray return to her family
[Editor's Note: Kelsey Ray turned herself in to police in Kirkland, Washington, late Monday night, and was reunited with her family early Tuesday morning. Mineral County Sheriff Hugh Hopwood issued the following statement.]
by Sheriff Hugh Hopwood
I am extremely pleased that this case had such a positive outcome.
I would like to give special thanks to the Kirkland Police Department, the Sedro-Woolley Police Department and the Missoula County Sheriff's Office for all of their help in this. It was because of the hard work of our law enforcement counterparts at those agencies that Kelsey is coming home.
Also, I would like to thank Verizon Wireless, who made it possible to recover the text messages that allowed us to focus on Washington State as being her location.
Here at home, I would like to publically thank Sgt. Bill Pandis, who did the majority of the legwork on our end of this case. Nicely done, Bill. These type of cases are emotionally and physically draining ones to work and you made me proud.
I would also like to thank the many, and I do mean many, people who provided support via the Facebook page dedicated to finding Kelsey. This was social networking at its finest. The kind thoughts, words, and prayers these many people sent made a real difference.
I would ask that the members of the public please give the Ray family some privacy at this time. They have just been through the wringer and need some time to mend.
Cherish your children and hold them close. This incident should remind all of us parents as to the vulnerability of our children.
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by Sheriff Hugh Hopwood
I am extremely pleased that this case had such a positive outcome.
I would like to give special thanks to the Kirkland Police Department, the Sedro-Woolley Police Department and the Missoula County Sheriff's Office for all of their help in this. It was because of the hard work of our law enforcement counterparts at those agencies that Kelsey is coming home.
Also, I would like to thank Verizon Wireless, who made it possible to recover the text messages that allowed us to focus on Washington State as being her location.
Here at home, I would like to publically thank Sgt. Bill Pandis, who did the majority of the legwork on our end of this case. Nicely done, Bill. These type of cases are emotionally and physically draining ones to work and you made me proud.
I would also like to thank the many, and I do mean many, people who provided support via the Facebook page dedicated to finding Kelsey. This was social networking at its finest. The kind thoughts, words, and prayers these many people sent made a real difference.
I would ask that the members of the public please give the Ray family some privacy at this time. They have just been through the wringer and need some time to mend.
Cherish your children and hold them close. This incident should remind all of us parents as to the vulnerability of our children.
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