GREENFIELD, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) — The entire community of Greenfield is breathing a sigh of relief Saturday after Highland County Sheriff Donnie Barrera said 18-year-old Madison Bell was found safe.
"I prayed every day," volunteer Kristen Wise said. "I'm glad they were answered. I'm glad she is okay."
A massive search with hundreds of volunteers was planned Saturday morning. However, it wasn't needed after the announcement was made shortly after 5 a.m.
"It's so great when you get to tell the family their loved one is alive," Chief Andrew Surritt with Rescue 101 said. "These are the best outcomes. I would much rather have this outcome than a somber outcome."
18-year-old Bell had been missing for nearly a week. Her family said she went tanning at a local salon on May 17.
No details were released about where she was found, or why she decided to leave on her own.
The Bell family released the following statement:
We ask that the public and media respect our privacy during this difficult time while we are emotionally raw. We are just relieved to know Maddie is alive and not in physical danger. Thank you to every single person who looked for Maddie including Rescue 101 Search and Rescue, Texas Equusearch, the amazing members of our local community, and volunteers that came from other areas to search for our daughter. Thank you to everyone who donated on Maddie’s behalf to assure we had reward money to offer for her safe return. Thank you to the law enforcement agencies and members for their hard work over the past 6 days, and for leaving no rock unturned. Thanks to friends and family who have supported us during the most difficult time of our lives. Every single effort to find Maddie has touched us and we appreciate it from the bottom of our hearts.
People from across the country came to help with the search Saturday morning.
"I was praying she would be okay," Seth Wise said. "I was so happy. I'm glad this is all over now, and she is safe."
Friends who knew Maddie are now relieved, after a grueling week.
"This has been an emotional roller coaster," Julianne Steveson said. "I'm glad she is okay."
All supplies donated for the search were taken to local charities and food banks in need.
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