Utah police searching for missing 5-year-old girl Elizabeth Shelley arrested her uncle Sunday, calling him “the main suspect” in the case. Authorities investigating the disappearance of the girl said her 21-year-old uncle, Alex Whipple, likely knows the whereabouts of Shelley.
Police started searching for Whipple after Shelley’s parents said she might be with him. The girl was missing from her family’s home in Logan, about 80 miles north of Salt Lake City, since Saturday morning. She was last reported seen sleeping in the house, located in the west side of the city.
When police arrived at the house Saturday morning, Whipple was not at the family home where he had stayed Friday night, Fox 13 in Salt Lake City reported. Police found the girl’s uncle Saturday afternoon in the city of Hyrum, a 15-minute drive from Logan. Police said Whipple did not cooperate with authorities during questioning about Shelley.
“He was by himself; he failed to identify to the deputy that located him,” Logan City Police Department Capt. Tyson Budge told the local news. “My understanding was, he wasn’t being very cooperative.”
According to Cache Valley Daily, Whipple had some of the girl’s clothing in his possession when he was arrested. He was booked into Cache County jail for a probation violation and was being held Sunday on $25,000 bond.
Police said Whipple had a criminal history and a drug problem, according to Fox 13. He was convicted of theft, failing to stop at the command of law enforcement and driving under the influence in January 2018.
Authorities urged Shelley’s neighbors to check home video surveillance footage since Friday night for clues into the little girl’s whereabouts as they resumed search for child.
Logan Police just released this new missing poster as they continue their search for Elizabeth Shelley. pic.twitter.com/nUYiKu3Olv
— Sean Moody 🎥🎙📝📺 (@SeanMoodyNews) May 26, 2019
Shelley was described as being 3-feet-6-inches tall and weighing about 40 pounds. She has shoulder-length curly brown hair with bangs, and brown eyes. Police said Shelley was wearing either blue jeans or a teal-colored plaid skirt when she was last seen at her home.
“We know there are many who want to help and there are some who think they are helping by posting their concern about the perceived lack of details of this investigation. They do not have all the information because we cannot release everything pertinent to this investigation. There are many agencies in a coordinated effort working around the clock and will continue to work until she is found,” Logan City Police Department wrote in a Facebook post Sunday.
The girl’s mother, Jessica, took to Facebook on Sunday, giving an update on the investigation, which also involves the FBI.
“Update the police have asked us to keep the search to the professional so the dogs can get better sent and nothing gets interrupted! You can still look at parks!!!! Or hand out flyers!!!!!” she wrote. The child’s father, Wes, also shared a Facebook post asking for the public to “pray” for his daughter.
