*A 15-year-old Norfolk girl named Gabriella Todman, who was reported missing, has been found safe, police said Thursday.
Todman had been missing since July 24 and police said messages sent to her mother during her disappearance were likely not from the teenager. According to multiple reports, she has been reunited with her family.
During a previous press conference, Norfolk Police Chief Mark Talbot explained Todman has gone missing previously, usually for several hours or a day.
Talbot said detectives worked “nonstop” since July 24 to find the girl, and ramped up efforts when Todman’s mother received texts and social media messages allegedly from her daughter on Aug. 3.
GREAT NEWS: We have been alerted that 15y/o Gabriella Todman of Norfolk, VA has been located, safe. Additional information not provided. Thank you for sharing her profile. pic.twitter.com/VzrOqbEQlJ
— Blk & Missing FDN (@BAM_FI) August 10, 2023
Police are classifying this as a runaway investigation, which is ongoing.
“We investigated that thoroughly,” said Talbot about the text messages, The Virginian Pilot reports.
“We do not believe that the messages came from Gabby at this point,” Talbot added.
“We have more work to do related to those messages, much more investigative work. But at this point, we’re asking for the public’s help in finding out where that she might be,” Talbot said before the teen was found safely.
Detectives with @NorfolkPD say they are concerned for the safety and well-being of Gabriella Todman.
No one has seen or heard from the 15-year-old girl since July 23.
Chief Mark Talbot says Gabby’s mom last saw her on Glen Myrtle Ave off Hampton Blvd. @13NewsNow pic.twitter.com/3EBmvWqO2g
— Angelique Arintok 13News Now (@13AArintok) August 8, 2023
“There’s a sense of urgency that we’re bringing to this investigation like we bring to all investigations,” Talbot said amid the search for Todman.
“The reality of missing persons cases is they almost all worked out fine, but not all of them, as we’ve seen on a number of occasions. We’re going to do everything that we can to make sure that this case works out just fine.”
READ MORE: Family and Friends of Missing North Carolina Woman Demand Answers from Police | VIDEO
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