This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2006, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Posted: 8:42 AM- An intensive overnight search for a missing West Valley City 12-year-old had a happy ending when the girl showed up for school today.
Samanthia Stayton's parents were unaware she was planning to spend the night at a friend's house, West Valley police Capt. Anita Schwemmer said.
The family was reunited after the girls arrived at Hunter Junior High near 6500 West and 3800 South this morning.
Samanthia was reported missing around 6 p.m. Wednesday by her father, who told police his daughter's absence was unusual, according to Sgt. Bill Merritt.
The girl's father told police he was supposed to pick her up following an after-school math club at around 4 p.m. The girl was nowhere to be seen, and the father waited about two hours before calling police.
Police issued an endangered person alert and contacted all the registered sex offenders in the area. Searchers also canvassed the neighborhoods around the school and her parents' home with missing person fliers.