need to know
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On December 15, two girls from the Colorado Springs school disappeared after attending a basketball game at Elbert School in Colorado.
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Two people found safe the day after heading to stranger’s home, authorities say
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“We should be thankful they were found and safe,” said Elbert County Sheriff’s Deputy Dave Fisher.
Two missing 13-year-old girls have been found safe after turning up at a stranger’s home in Colorado after disappearing from a school basketball game, authorities said.
The Elbert County Sheriff’s Office previously said the girls, named Eva and Neiliy, were last seen at the Elbert School on Monday, December 15, around 5 p.m. local time. The two attended a Colorado Springs school and were attending a basketball game at the school.
“We are writing to inform you of a serious situation that occurred at last night’s away middle school basketball game in Elbert,” the Elbert School District said. “Two of our students left the Elbert campus prior to the game and their whereabouts are currently unknown.”
Eva and Neely, both middle school students at the time, were wearing basketball uniforms and carrying backpacks, authorities said.
The Elbert County Sheriff’s Office added that the search, which involved drones, police dogs, all-terrain vehicles and people on foot, was conducted within a 5-mile radius of the school but was later called off overnight, CBS affiliate KCNC reported.
Later, at a press conference on Tuesday, December 16, Elbert County Sheriff’s Deputy Dave Fisher said the girls had been found.
“They’re safe, they’re cold, and they’re having breakfast,” Fisher said. He added that Eva and Neely underwent medical evaluation and would be reunited with their families.
Fisher said the teens showed up at a stranger’s home seven or eight miles from where they disappeared Tuesday morning. The man fed and kept the girls warm and called the police.
Fisher noted that the girls were cross-country runners and did not have their cellphones with them when they disappeared. It’s unclear why they disappeared.
“They are in good health now,” he said. “I think we should be grateful that they were found and safe.”
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The Elbert School District said the school was closed early Tuesday morning due to the search for the girl. After news broke that the two were found, the school district shared another message that read, in part: “We are grateful for the outpouring of support and help from our amazing community.”
PEOPLE reached out to the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office and Colorado Springs Schools for comment Tuesday.
Read the original article on People
