CARROLLTON, Va. — Katelynn Clark, 10, was found safe Tuesday after she disappeared early Monday morning, officials confirmed.
Katelynn walked to a home on Vallins Lane Tuesday where she asked the resident for food. The resident, who recognized the girl from photos shared on the news and online, called 911, prompting a response from authorities and paramedics who determined the 10-year-old was in "good health," according to the authorities.
The Sheriff's Office told 13News Now that Katelynn walked a couple miles from her home before finding an empty trailer that she slept in overnight.
She went missing from her home on Green Wing Drive around 6:30 a.m. Monday, a spokesperson from the sheriff's office confirmed. Her parents woke up to find her missing, and she was spotted leaving in home security footage.
A search began on Monday, and carried on until she was found later on Tuesday.
Isle of Wight Capt. Tommy Potter described her as a "normal girl whose life was filled with books and Barbie dolls."
Investigators said Katelynn was home-schooled and had no reason to leave her home at that hour for any activities in the community.
They said they also found her phone in the home while executing a search warrant and found no communication on her phone indicating she left to meet someone. Deputies also said she had no social media accounts.
"I can tell you that from talking to her family and her neighbors, this would've been highly unusual for Katelynn to do something like this," Captain Potter said. "Her circle of friends are very, very close. Her family is very close, so for her to leave like this at 6:30, it causes us concern."
Captain Potter also said she was not reported missing until Monday afternoon, so several hours had passed from the time between her leaving the home and deputies being notified.
"Our priority is to find out where Katelynn is. We hope and pray she is safe and that we can bring some type of closure to the family," said Captain Potter prior to finding her.
Neighbors in the area said they don't know the family well.
Betty Husted, who lives slightly behind where Katelynn lives, said children and teens in the neighborhood would sometimes go out to the docks near the creek to pass time, but she said they always go in groups and typically in the afternoon, if at all. She said she cannot imagine what would have motivated Katelynn to leave her home.
"My heart just goes out to the parents because that's got to be like heartbreaking," said Husted. "There are other ways you can help out, which is eyes and ears open. That's basically what we're doing. But it is scary... it is scary."
Katelynn's family members spoke with 13News Now off-camera while she was still missing, not including her parents. They were extremely worried, and described the 10-year-old girl as a sweet person who loves reading books.
The Sherriff's Office said Katelynn will remain in the care of the Isle of Wight County Social Services until the investigation deems it appropriate.