The Lafayette Police Department confirmed the safe return of a 12-year-old girl, Khaleena McClendon, who had been missing since Wednesday afternoon after last being seen at Tecumseh Junior High School. According to WTHR, McClendon was located shortly after an urgent plea for community assistance was issued, and she was safely reunited with her family later in the evening.
Earlier reports by FOX59 detailed the initial search efforts, describing the missing child and requesting information from the public, LPD had provided a hotline and urged anyone with information to reach out or call 911. The Lafayette police expressed their gratitude to the community for their significant role in McClendon's safe return, "The outpouring of concern and help from residents played a crucial role in bringing Khaleena home safely," was stated in a release obtained by WTHR.
Descriptions of McClendon circulated during the search, labeling her as a 5’3 female wearing a dark gray and black sweatshirt, light-colored pants, along with black and white Nike shoes as detailed in a press release that Purdue Exponent reported which the information spread through the local media turned into critical leads, with the press and public acting in unison to pierce through the ambiguity of the moment till the child's whereabouts were confirmed.
