Grandmother Partially Blames Sexting for Girl’s Disappearance

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Police took a person into custody Friday afternoon who may be connected to an 11-year-old girl’s disappearance. Police have not said how the man, whose identity has not been released, may be connected to the case. Police made the arrest at the apartment complex where the girl was found.

The grandmother of the 11-year-old girl said sexting is partially to blame for the girl’s disappearance and may have contributed to her alleged assault.

The girl’s family reported her missing Thursday evening. Police located the girl after they received a tip around 1:15 a.m. Friday. The tip led officers to the Shadow Creek Apartment Complex near 94th and Newton. While police were going door-to-door they heard yelling from inside an apartment. Police busted down the door and found the 11-year-old alone inside. She suffered minor injuries and was transported to Children’s Mercy Hospital.

The girl told her family she was blindfolded and kidnapped by two men, but her grandmother thinks her granddaughter was sexting an older man and didn’t think about the dangers.

“I think it got a little over her head. She was probably thinking, ‘Okay. I’m just going to have fun,’” said Kimberly Thompson, grandmother. “It didn’t turn out the way she thought it was going to end. ‘I’m going to play hookie’ and it did a spiral and got out of control.”

According to the child’s grandmother, her granddaughter stayed home from school after missing her bus at the Greens Apartments in the 9400 block of Newton on Thursday. The grandmother said neighbors told the family the girl went to a movie with an older man.

Police continue to investigate to determine if foul play was involved or if the child walked away on her own.