Hailey
Missing-person cases often create fear and confusion within a community, especially when the person involved is young. In Emporia, Kansas, a 17-year-old girl named Alicia Ybarra went missing on Monday morning, causing concern among her family, friends, and police officers.
Thankfully, officers later confirmed that Alicia had been found, but they did not share more information about where she was located or what had happened during the hours she was missing.
This article explains the full timeline of the incident, what was known at the time, and how the community helped in the search.
Teen Girl Found After Being Reported Missing
The Emporia Police Department announced that Alicia Ybarra, who had been missing since late Monday morning, was found. Police did not share additional details regarding her condition or the circumstances behind her disappearance.
Families and residents who followed the search were relieved to hear the update, as missing-teen cases often raise serious concerns.
Even though officers did not explain how she was found, the positive outcome brought comfort to the community. The important thing is that Alicia is safe, and the alert issued earlier helped bring attention to her case quickly.
Timeline of the Incident
Earlier in the day, before confirming she was found, Emporia Police released a public alert asking residents to help look for Alicia. The alert went out around 7 p.m. on Monday, several hours after she was last seen. Police shared where she was last spotted and what she was wearing to help people identify her easily.
Alicia was last seen shortly before noon on Monday at Flinthills Mall in Emporia. This popular shopping area often has many visitors, so police hoped someone might have noticed her or could provide helpful information.
The alert encouraged anyone who had been at the mall or nearby locations around that time to contact the police if they had seen her or had useful details.
Description Shared by Police
Police released clear information about what Alicia looked like at the time she went missing. This helped people know what to look for while officers continued their search.
Below is the simple table of details provided by the police:
Simple Table of Information
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Alicia Ybarra |
| Age | 17 years |
| Height | 5 ft 3 in |
| Weight | 150 pounds |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Last Seen Location | Flinthills Mall, Emporia |
| Clothing | Angel’s Hospice hoodie, black leggings, brown Ugg boots |
Community Response to the Search
Once the alert spread on social media and through local messaging groups, many residents began sharing the information to help widen the search. Community support is extremely important during missing-teen cases because more people looking means a higher chance of finding the person quickly.
People in Emporia were paying extra attention to malls, parks, shops, and nearby streets after seeing the alert. Even though police handled the main investigation, community awareness played a strong role in helping spread the word.
Why Missing-Person Alerts Are Important
When someone goes missing, especially a minor, time becomes very important. Police alerts help share the person’s description, clothing, and last-known location within minutes. The faster people receive the information, the quicker they can help.
In Alicia’s case, the alert included details about:
• Her clothing
• Her appearance
• Where she was last seen
• The time she disappeared
This helped people identify her faster and increased the chance of a safe recovery. Even though every missing-person case is different, clear communication can make a huge difference.
The search for 17-year-old Alicia Ybarra shows how important quick police action and community awareness can be. Police shared important details early, and the public responded by spreading the information and keeping an eye out.
Although officers did not reveal how Alicia was found, the most important part is that she is safe. Events like this remind us that working together during emergencies can help protect vulnerable people and bring missing individuals home safely.