Missing 13-year-old Lancaster girl found safe, authorities say
LANCASTER, Calif. (FOX 11) - A 13-year-old girl who was reported missing and had not been seen since Valentine's Day was found safe, authorities said Saturday.
Skylar Mannie, 13, was being reunited with her family, according to the Lancaster Sheriff's Station.
No further details were immediately released.
"We are happy to share that 13 year old Skylar Mannie has been found. Skylar is safe and being reunited with her family," the Lancaster Sheriff's Station said. "This is an ongoing investigation and no further details will be released at this time."
Mannie was reported missing after leaving her home on Feb. 14. The Lancaster Sheriff's Station circulated her photo in hopes of finding the girl.
"We'd like to give a big thank you and job well done to Lancaster Sheriff's Station Detective B. Tanner who has been working day and night, following up on every lead until he located Skylar."
Sheriff's officials added, "Remember, if you see something, say something!"
Meanwhile, authorities were still seeking to identify a child whose body was discovered inside a duffle bag along a hiking trail in Hacienda Heights.
Mannie's image was shared by authorities around the same time, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed the female victim found was not her, shutting down rumors that had been circulating on social media.
"Thank you for all of your calls and concern. We have been anxiously awaiting information through the night and can officially share Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department can confirm the female victim found in Hacienda Heights is NOT 13 year old Skylar Mannie who was reported missing out of Lancaster," the department wrote on Thursday. "LASD Homicide Detectives are working diligently to solve the case of the deceased child found in Hacienda Heights. Our hearts go out to her loved ones. We know Homicide Detectives will not give up their attempts to identify her."