An 8-year-old girl was found alive after going missing for seven hours when her family’s vehicle got stuck in the snowstorm in eastern El Paso County.
On Nov. 8 at around 10:30 p.m., the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office was notified of the missing girl in the area of Soap Weed Road and Mid Jones Road.
A search was initiated, and multiple agencies from across several counties responded to assist.
The area of the county where the girl went missing was severely impacted by the winter storm, creating blizzard-like conditions. The weather made it difficult for first responders to access the area and conduct the search, law enforcement said.
Snowplows from the Department of Transportation were dispatched to clear the way for emergency personnel. The efforts included a comprehensive ground search supported by drones.
After seven hours, the girl was found alive on a nearby property. She had been exposed to the elements and suffered injuries related to the cold weather. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment and is expected to make a full recovery.