How the community came together to find a missing teen

(NORTH VERNON, Ind.) – The search for a missing teen was a county-wide effort in Jennigs County on Sunday. 

13-year-old Haley Sporleder went missing around 8:30 a.m. from the Sandcreek Township area. 

The Jennings County Sheriff's Office is now sharing details of how the search turned into a success. 

There were approximately 150 people and 20 different organizations who searched for the teen on Sunday.

Some tools that were used included a State Flight helicopter, K-9’s, drones, kayaks, door-to-door search teams and more.

“The juvenile was briefly entered as a Silver Alert to help broaden the search. At approximately 7:00 p.m., after nearly 10 hours missing, she was safely located approximately four miles from her home,” the sheriff’s office said. 

Here are the organizations that assisted in the search:

• North Vernon Fire Department

• Scipio Geneva Fire Department

• Spencer Fire Department

• Campbell Township Fire Department

• Vernon Fire Department

• Lovett Fire Department

• Westport Fire Department

• Indiana Conservation Police

• Jennings County Search and Rescue

• Westport Police Department

• Jefferson County EMA

• Rescue 20

• StatFlight

• Columbus Fire Department

• Equusearch Midwest

• Jennings County Dispatch

• Jennings County Animal Control

• Imagination Graphics (Large Printed Aerial Maps)

• Gary Driver at Bighead Pizza

• Jennings County Auditor

“We also thank the many volunteers and community members who assisted in any way. The quick response, teamwork, and dedication displayed are a true reflection of the strength of our community and our shared commitment to protecting one another,” the sheriff’s department added.