Police search field, ditch for signs of missing 5-year-old girl Elizabeth Shelley

Police say they have found physical evidence showing that Elizabeth was with her uncle outside her home since she was last seen there

Authorities in Utah have been searching a field for signs of missing Logan girl Elizabeth Shelley as police say they have located evidence directly linking the 5-year-old girl’s uncle to her disappearance.

Elizabeth was last seen at her mother’s home in Logan in the early hours of Saturday morning, and was discovered missing several hours later, along with her uncle Alex Whipple. Police apprehended Whipple, 21, later Saturday afternoon and detained him on a probation violation as they questioned him about Elizabeth’s disappearance.

“We have no reason to believe anything he told us was accurate,” Logan City Police Captain Tyson Budge said in a police press conference Monday, which was live-streamed on ABC 4 Salt Lake City.

Budge also said that investigators have found physical evidence linking Whipple to Elizabeth’s disappearance, and showing that they were together outside the home that Whipple reportedly visited on Friday night.

When Whipple was found late Saturday afternoon, there was no sign of Elizabeth.

On Monday, local media outlets reported that investigators from multiple agencies were searching a field and ditch in Logan for signs of the missing girl.

NOW: Crews from multiple agencies combing a field and a ditch in #Logan for signs of #ElizabethShelley #missing #missingchildren #missingchild #logan #utah pic.twitter.com/NmFCVVipiT

— Andrew Reeser (@andrewreeser) May 27, 2019

Following the police update at Monday’s news conference, Cache County Sheriff Public Information Officer Jill Parker read a statement given by Elizabeth Shelley’s family, which reads in full:

“As a family we are overwhelmed, scared, and sad at the recent tragic events that have touched our lives. We are grateful for all those that continue to search and help. We would like to thank law enforcement, volunteers, and all other agencies and businesses for their tireless efforts in helping us find our daughter.

Our family asks for privacy and respect during this difficult time and continue to hope for the save return of our sweet girl Lizzy.”

Anyone with information about Elizabeth Shelley’s disappearance is urged to call the Cache County Sheriff’s Office at 435-753-7555.