Missing girl from Leechburg found near Chicago
A 13-year-old student from the Leechburg Area School District missing since Tuesday night was found safe Thursday in the Chicago area, Leechburg police said.
Leechburg Police Chief Jason Schaeffer confirmed Thursday night that Aeryona Dongilli, of Leechburg, would be returning home to her family.
Schaeffer said Dongilli went with a man from Western Pennsylvania to the greater Chicago area, but declined to provide specifics.
Police from Kankakee County, 60 miles south of Chicago, questioned the man, who police say drove Dongilli to the area, Schaeffer said.
Kankakee Police Chief Robin Passwater was not immediately available for comment Friday morning.
Dongilli, a middle schooler at Leechburg Area, told police she did not meet the man on the internet. The nature of the relationship between Dongilli and the man remains unclear.
Both police departments did not say if charges involving the man have been filed or are pending.
Leechburg Superintendent Tiffany Nix said the entire school community was “incredibly worried” about Dongilli since hearing of her disappearance Tuesday.
“We want to thank all police and emergency personnel who worked as a team to find her safe. We are very grateful,” Nix said.
Staff writer Joe Napsha contributed
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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