A 12-year-old girl who was reported missing from her grandmother’s home in South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has been found safe, bringing a relieved end to a two-day search involving authorities in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Taylor Hicks was located Friday night shortly before 9 p.m., according to authorities.
Taylor had been reported missing after she disappeared Wednesday evening sometime between approximately 6 and 7 p.m. Bethlehem police launched a search after her family could no longer locate her and began working to determine where she might have gone.
Her mother, Dawn Hicks, said Taylor’s last known locations were believed to be either the front porch of her grandmother’s home or the nearby Yosko Park area. At the time, Taylor and her family were temporarily staying at her grandmother’s residence.
Dawn Hicks also appealed for help through social media, explaining how difficult it was for her to publicly announce that her daughter was missing. She said Taylor was being homeschooled and that, to the family’s knowledge, there was no obvious reason for the 12-year-old to leave without telling anyone.
When she disappeared, Taylor was initially described as wearing a black sweatshirt and denim shorts. Authorities circulated information about her physical appearance and clothing as they attempted to identify possible sightings and determine her whereabouts.
As the investigation continued, police learned that Taylor had connections to Plainfield, New Jersey, and was known to spend time in the area. The Plainfield Police Department subsequently became involved in the search and asked residents to watch for the missing girl and provide information that could help investigators locate her.
Plainfield authorities described Taylor as approximately 4 feet 11 inches tall with black hair. Their description of her clothing differed slightly, identifying her as wearing a black hoodie, shorts and colorful blue slides when she was last seen.
The possibility that Taylor had traveled outside Pennsylvania became an important part of the search. Family members had told reporters they believed she might have left the state, which helped broaden the investigation and prompted authorities in New Jersey to assist in looking for her.
Taylor’s mother described her daughter as generally shy around people she did not know. At the same time, Taylor had connections within her community through friendships developed at a local summer camp and the Boys & Girls Club.
Authorities have not released extensive details about where Taylor was found or what circumstances led to her disappearance and eventual return. Bethlehem and Plainfield police confirmed Friday night that the girl had been located safely.
The news brought significant relief to Taylor’s family and others who had been following the search. For roughly two days, relatives and law enforcement officers had been working to determine where the young girl was and make sure she returned home safely.
With Taylor now found safe, the immediate missing-person search has come to an end. Authorities may continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding her disappearance, but no further details about her location or what happened during the time she was missing have been publicly released.
