Rescue Teams Searching for Two Missing Girls in Humboldt County
UPDATE: Missing sisters found
About 100 rescuers joined a frantic but hopeful rural community’s search Sunday for two young sisters who vanished two days ago from their home in a densely wooded area of Humboldt County.
Leia Dorice Carrico, 8, and her 5-year-old sister, Caroline Rose, were last seen about 2:30 p.m. Friday when they took off for a walk without permission in Benbow, sheriff’s officials said.
"It's super-rugged terrain, very steep canyons and gullies and thick brush, a lot of vegetation," the girls’ cousin, Julie Scarlett, told SoCal Connected’s Karen Foshay, reporting from Benbow. "It's slick, wet conditions, so we are hoping for the best."
Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal said that although there was no indication of foul play, a major crimes investigative team also was on scene. Honsal said nothing was being ruled out, including whether a stranger picked them up on a rural dirt road.
Rescuers, however, had found wrappers from granola bars, boot prints and signs that the girls tried to start a fire. The girls’ mother told officials the girls had recently purchased the granola, giving officials good clues of where to look, sheriff’s Lt. Mike Fridley said.
Homeschooled in the forest community, the girls know the terrain, Scarlett said. Each was wearing jackets and boots.
"They know how to be in the woods," Scarlett said. "They are tough little girls."
The girls disappeared Friday afternoon after asking to go for a walk about 2:30 p.m. Their mother said no, and discovered they were missing about 3 p.m. Family and friends searched themselves until 6 p.m., when they contacted authorities.
Honsal said all available resources were being utilized to find the girls. Since the girls were reported missing about 6 p.m. Friday, rescuers from Humboldt, Mendocino, Napa and Del Norte counties, along with the state parks department, the California National Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard and Cal Fire arrived at the scene.
The effort included ten search teams, including dogs attempting to track the girls’ scents and helicopters, although morning fog prevented Family members, including the girls’ father, also searched.
“Today is the day that we are going to find them,” a sheriff’s official told searchers Sunday morning.
Checking in rescuers at the site, Scarlett said locals with knowledge of the forest will be paired with those responding. The woods are so dense, rescuers might have to crawl on their bellies through the mud to break through the brush, she said.
"The turnout for search and rescue is incredible and everybody has just been wonderful," Scarlett said. "I really appreciate it."
Leia is described as white, 4 feet 2 inches tall, 85 pounds, with hazel eyes and blonde hair. She had a large freckle on her left cheek. Leia was last seen wearing a dark gray hooded long-sleeve shirt and purple rain boots.
Caroline is white, 3 feet 6 inches tall, 40 pounds. She has hazel eyes and blonde hair with bright purple streaks. She was last seen wearing a maroon rain jacket with white horses, blue jeans and pink boots.
Although residents wanted to help the search, Honsal asked the public to avoid the area while first responders worked so not to destroy evidence and tracking capabilities. The department also asked residents not to fly drones, which were making it difficult for helicopters to fly.
Anyone with information about the girls' whereabouts was asked to call a tip line at 707-441-5000.
The Carrico sisters' mother was described as "hanging in there."
"That's their terrain," Scarlett said. "They've been out in the woods before. They've grown up in the woods. I think they are going to make it."