Jessica Ridgeway, 10, has been missing since Friday.
WESTMINSTER, COLO. -- Police in Colorado said a backpack found in the town of Superior is likely linked to the 10-year-old girl who has been missing since Friday.
Westminster police say the backpack was found on a sidewalk about 6 miles from the suburban Denver home of Jessica Ridgeway. She normally meets a friend at a park on her way to Witt Elementary School, but she didn't make it to the park or school Friday.
An Amber Alert has been issued.
Jessica weighs 80 pounds and is 4-feet-10 with blue eyes and blond shoulder-length hair.
Police would not discuss the contents of the bag but say they believe it belongs to the girl. They also say the item has led investigators to expand their search for the girl to the Rock Creek subdivision of Superior.
Searchers included some 50 personnel as well as members of the public, family and friends. Police said a bloodhound and thermal equipment were being used.
Police said they got a late start searching because Jessica's mother didn't immediately realize she was missing. Officers said her mother works nights and slept through calls from school officials to tell her Jessica hadn't arrived.
Authorities cited a child custody dispute involving her father, but said they don't believe Jessica is with him.
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