Canton police share latest after missing 2-year-old girl was found safely

UPDATE (2:09 p.m.) — The Canton Police Department is sharing more information following the search for a missing 2-year-old on Thursday.

According to Canton Police Spokesman Edward Glad, Chloe Russell was located in a second-floor closet in a home her family had been staying at.

The Canton Fire Department had used thermal cameras to search the home earlier in the day but, they did not indicate that she was in the home during the search.

After that additional agencies were called in to assist with the search, including drones and K9 and other specialized search and rescue personnel. Community members also joined in on the search on social media.

“It was heartening to see the community come together on a moment’s notice to volunteer to help locate Chloe,” said Canton Police Chief Mike Eveland. “Just the idea that everyone seemed willing to drop everything to walk the neighborhood to help us find her. That, and the many phone calls we received from people wanting to give us even the smallest information that could help us.”

Members of the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Technicians searched the residence the family was staying at to locate clues and found Chloe Russell in an upstairs closet. She was then transported to a local hospital for medical attention, and was then released to her guardians.

Eveland also commented that the family fully cooperated with the investigation.

Canton Mayor Kent McDowell said the most important thing was that Chloe was found safe.

“Our public safety departments and public works did an outstanding job working with the outside agencies to canvass the area for Chloe,” McDowell said. “I want to thank the mayors of Lewistown and Farmington for reaching out to assist. Seeing the community come together in a crisis for this little girl showed the positive aspects of living in a small midwestern community like ours.”

Canton police are continuing to investigate the incident.

UPDATE (5:45 p.m.) — A toddler who was missing for several hours Thursday has been found safely, according to Canton police.

Our crew in Canton said they saw a large crowd gather as an official walked out of a house on Custer Street with Chloe alive in his arms. She was then given to her family.

In a Facebook post from the Canton Police Department, the department said, “the little girl was receiving medical attention but is expected to be fine.”

Stay here for updates.

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Multiple agencies searching for 2-year-old girl who walked away from home

CANTON, Ill. (WMBD) — A 2-year-old girl has been reported missing Thursday morning in Canton, Illinois, and police are asking people to avoid the area as they conduct a ground and aerial search.

According to a Facebook post Thursday morning, Canton police said they are looking for 2-year-old Chloe Russell, who walked away from her home located in the 500 block of Custer Place in Canton near Monical’s Pizza.

Russell was last seen around 8:30 a.m. Thursday wearing light blue pajamas with either baby shark or dinosaurs on them. She is described as being 25 pounds and 3 feet tall with blonde hair. She likes to explore and swim, according to Edward Glad, a public information officer with Canton police.

In a 10:30 a.m. update, police asked people to stay out of the area as officers conduct a search because foot and road traffic will “make it harder for the K-9, drones and airplanes” to find the toddler. However, police also asked neighboring residents to thoroughly search their own property, focusing on their pools, sheds and garages. Neighbors are asked to keep their dogs and small children inside at this time.

Crews with WMBD-TV are currently at the scene and have seen officers searching the area.

Illinois State Police, Western University and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office are assisting in the search at a command post near the area. The FBI joined the investigation as of Thursday afternoon.

If you have any information, please call the Canton Police Department at (309) 647-5131.

This story will be updated.

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