AMBER ALERT - 2 sisters missing near Disney

[kdibattista]

apparently they were at a campground with their parents - "Tropical Palms???". Missing since last night.

 

[aahmom1]

Any idea how old they are?

 

[kdibattista]

Elizabeth Murrell - 12 yo
Amanda Murrell - 9yo

They are on vacation from Savannah, GA. I am watching it on CNN as I type. So sad - I cannot even imagine what the family is going through.

Apparently they were exploring the nearby nature trails and vanished. What's scary is that there is a report of a white Astrovan (Florida tags) that was spotted around the time they disappeared and apparently that vehicle matches the description of a vehicle that was used in trying to lure other kids

 

[cuterlt]

according to CNN breaking news, they have been found.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

How terrible!!! Quick prayer for a happy ending..
::fingers crossed:::

 

[missymouse3367]

Oh thank goodness.

 

[aahmom1]

Thank Goodness, where were they found?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Good news for a frightening story.

http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/South/01/19/missing.girls/index.html

 

[dtuleya]

From the CNN site:

KISSIMMEE, Florida (CNN) -- Two sisters were found Sunday in Central Florida, a day after they wandered off from a campground where they were staying with their family, authorities said.

Elizabeth Murrell, 12, and her sister Amanda, 9, had been last seen at 4:30 p.m. EST Saturday at the Tropical Palms Resort, west of Kissimmee, where their parents and four siblings were staying, Osceola County Sheriff's detective Michelle Keefer said.

The family of the missing girls lives in Savannah, Georgia.

The parents called the sheriff's office about 6:45 p.m. when the girls didn't return, Keefer said Sunday.

"They had asked their parents if they could explore the woods," she said. "Of course, then the parents wondered where they were."

Keefer said the Florida Department of Law Enforcement called an "Amber" alert for the girls, activating signs on turnpikes and major highways asking the public for leads.

Amber (America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response) is a voluntary partnership between law-enforcement agencies and broadcasters to activate an urgent bulletin in the most serious missing child cases. The system was created in 1996 as a legacy to 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, who was kidnapped while riding her bicycle and murdered in Arlington, Texas.

 

[C.Ann]

Thank goodness this story had a happy ending!! Were they just lost in the woods or what?

Having stayed at the Tropical Palms myself back in Sept. of 2001, I can tell you that it sits WAY back off the main road in a VERY densely wooded area.. There is also Old Town located right next door - an amusement/shopping area - that I'm sure attracts all sorts of people - the good and the not-so-good..

While I felt very safe at the campground, it's not an area where I would allow children to go exploring in the woods alone.. Because one DOES feel so safe in that particular resort I'm sure the parents felt it would be okay but I personally would never allow it myself..

I'm so glad there wasn't a tragic ending to this story.. What a horrible thing to have to go through on ones vacation..

 

[WDWLVR]

Thank goodness that this story had a happy ending.

 

[holycow]

I'm so glad this had a happy ending!...

HC

 

[newmousecateer]

What a relief they were found safe and sound.

 

[JulesMom]

I am SO glad they were found!!

As far as the white van sighting--when they had the white van look out for the DC area shootings. I started looking for white vans. I counted 50 in a 2 mile stretch--in the suburbs of Houston!!! I never realized how many white vans there are. I'm sure someone did see a white van. They are everywhere!

 

[m&m's mom]

Amber (America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response) is a voluntary partnership between law-enforcement agencies and broadcasters to activate an urgent bulletin in the most serious missing child cases. The system was created in 1996 as a legacy to 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, who was kidnapped while riding her bicycle and murdered in Arlington, Texas.

That is interesting. I live in a North Dallas suburb and Arlington is a Fort Worth suburb. I remember every agonizing moment of Amber's disappearance. It was your worst stranger abduction nightmare. She was just riding her bike close to her home when she was abducted. Not your stereotypical family member/acquaintance abduction.
The thing I really like about the AMBER alert is that her family is just a lower middle class single parent family that had a national program named after her. I read in the paper here a few weeks ago that it was a radio broadcaster and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) that really got it pushed national.
Glad to see her loss will help others in need.
Good for the happy ending!

 

[Kitty 34]

I'm so glad they found the girls. What a scare that must have been!

 

[Kallison]

That must have been the longest night of those parents life. I can't even imagine -- they would have had to tranquilize me.

 

[4greatboys]

I am so happy they found those girls. My heart breaks every time I hear about a missing child. Atleast times like this give you hope the next time it happens that those kids will be found also.