Missing 8-year-old Roanoke girl with autism found safe and unharmed

She was missing for about 13 hours

ROANOKE, Va.5:30 P.M. UPDATE

On Tuesday afternoon, Damon Patterson breathed a sigh of relief after living through any parent’s worst nightmare.

“Worst feeling in the world. It was like, I couldn’t believe it was happening. It felt like this wasn’t be happening,” he said.

Patterson’s 8-year-old daughter Cecelia “CeCe” Patterson, who has autism, ran away from their home on Florida Ave NW Monday around 11 p.m.

“In her mind, she was basically playing hide and go seek,” said Patterson. “Most of the time when she plays, I grab her before she goes anywhere, but this time she got away from me.”

Patterson called 911 and pretty soon the whole neighborhood and community were searching for CeCe.

Roanoke City Police, Roanoke Fire-EMS, the Virginia Dept. of Emergency Management and several other agencies joined forces to bring CeCe home, asking for the public’s help.

“Check your property, your basements, your vehicles, your sheds, your outbuildings, garage, or just forage in your yard,” said Roanoke City Police.

Around noon on Tuesday, Elizabeth Grubbs was hopping in her car to run some errands and was shocked by what she saw.

“I opened my door and then a little head popped up from the back of my trunk,” said Grubbs.

Sitting in the back in a car seat was CeCe.

“I called the police and they got here and they were like, ‘Well, we’ve been looking for her.’ I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ I’m glad I found her safely,” said Grubbs.

When Patterson was finally reunited with his daughter, he said he couldn’t have been happier.

“When I saw her it was a sigh of relief, but I was like ‘Ooh I can’t believe you!’ But I was so happy,” said Patterson. “I’m just thankful and I’m blessed that she was found.”


1:34 P.M. UPDATE:

Roanoke police announced at 1:15 p.m. that 8-year-old Cecelia “CeCe” Patterson has been found and she is safe.

She was found at about 12:30 p.m. inside a car on Aspen Grove Court NW, about a quarter mile from where she was last seen.

8-year-old CeCe Patterson was found safe in Roanoke! Lindsey Kennett WSLS 10 News is live with the latest: https://10.wsls.com/3wIyACo

Posted by WSLS 10 / WSLS.com on Tuesday, June 1, 2021

ORIGINAL STORY

Authorities in Roanoke are searching for a missing 8-year-old girl who has autism.

Cecelia “CeCe” Patterson was last seen at about 11 p.m. at her home in the 2800 block of Florida Avenue NW, according to police.

Officers said she was last seen wearing a black dress, gray sweatpants/leggings and a blue spotted hat.

While police know she left her home on foot, it’s not clear if she was alone or with someone else.

Police are encouraging people to search their backyards, shed, boats, pools, etc. Anything they own that someone could take shelter in.

Anyone with more information on CeCe’s whereabouts is asked to call 911.

At 12:30 p.m., the Roanoke Police Department held a brief news conference regarding their search for CeCe. You that in its entirety below:

The Roanoke Police Department held a press conference at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. You that in its entirety below:


About the Authors:

You can watch Lindsey during Virginia Today every weekend or as a reporter during the week!