The panic in a close-knit Northumberland County community ended late Monday afternoon when a 12-year-old girl was found safe, hours after being reported missing.
Nearly 160 people from surrounding communities, including police, fire and regular citizens searched for Brenna Gessner over 100 square mile area around Ralpho Township for hours on Monday.
Brenna was reported missing from her home on North Market Street in Elysburg around 9 a.m. Monday by her family.
Volunteers gathered outside the house offering support to Brenna's family, who said their fears for Brenna's wellbeing would occassionally overwhelm them.
"You can't describe it," said Deanna Gesser, Brenna's grandmother. "How hard has it been? You go beyond tears and then you cry again, then you go beyond crying."
As state police helicopters searched from above, Brenna's friends from Southern Columbia Middle School posted homemade signs around town, urging for Brenna's safe return.
"We're going to put them all through this area and we made one huge banner that says 'We love you, Brenna'" said friend Alexandra Cove, gesturing to a colorful 10-foot-long poster.
Hours after Brenna went missing, she was found walking along Fairview Street in Elysburg, about a mile away from her home.
Betsy Kramer lives just down the road.
"I looked out and saw the ambulance pull in and then I saw her just walking along the little trees there," said Kramer.
"This is a tremendous relief to know that the person we've been looking for has been found and found alive and in good condition," said Elysburg Assistant Fire Chief Bob Dluge, who said he was overwhelmed by the show of support by all the police and fire teams from other communities who assisted in the search.
Brenna's relieved family said they were grateful to all those who offered up support and prayers.
"A lot of prayers went up today," said Brenna's grandmother. "We believed the Lord would find her and he did. We're praising the Lord today."
Brenna was taken to an area hospital for observation.
Ralpho Township Police will be investigating how and why Brenna went missing in Northumberland County.
Nearly 160 people from surrounding communities, including police, fire and regular citizens searched for Brenna Gessner over 100 square mile area around Ralpho Township for hours on Monday.
Brenna was reported missing from her home on North Market Street in Elysburg around 9 a.m. Monday by her family.
Volunteers gathered outside the house offering support to Brenna's family, who said their fears for Brenna's wellbeing would occassionally overwhelm them.
"You can't describe it," said Deanna Gesser, Brenna's grandmother. "How hard has it been? You go beyond tears and then you cry again, then you go beyond crying."
As state police helicopters searched from above, Brenna's friends from Southern Columbia Middle School posted homemade signs around town, urging for Brenna's safe return.
"We're going to put them all through this area and we made one huge banner that says 'We love you, Brenna'" said friend Alexandra Cove, gesturing to a colorful 10-foot-long poster.
Hours after Brenna went missing, she was found walking along Fairview Street in Elysburg, about a mile away from her home.
Betsy Kramer lives just down the road.
"I looked out and saw the ambulance pull in and then I saw her just walking along the little trees there," said Kramer.
"This is a tremendous relief to know that the person we've been looking for has been found and found alive and in good condition," said Elysburg Assistant Fire Chief Bob Dluge, who said he was overwhelmed by the show of support by all the police and fire teams from other communities who assisted in the search.
Brenna's relieved family said they were grateful to all those who offered up support and prayers.
"A lot of prayers went up today," said Brenna's grandmother. "We believed the Lord would find her and he did. We're praising the Lord today."
Brenna was taken to an area hospital for observation.
Ralpho Township Police will be investigating how and why Brenna went missing in Northumberland County.
