Mother of missing 13-year-old girl hands out fliers, hopes for clues


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Update 07/23/2014: West Valley Police found 13-year-old Jaelyn Gruenebaum early Wednesday at a McDonald's and returned her to her mother.SALT LAKE CITY — Of all the bargains Shelley Gruenebaum has found at Jordan Landing in her life, there's only one thing here she was really hoping to find Tuesday afternoon — her daughter.

Or, at least, someone who has seen her daughter.

"It's not knowing that she's safe and not knowing I can protect her. She's so vulnerable out there by herself," Gruenebaum said.

Jaelyn Gruenebaum, who turned 13 this past weekend, is missing. Her mother and friends have no idea where she is.

Starting early Tuesday morning, they handed out fliers at Jordan Landing, at a nearby skate park and others public places in the area where Jaelyn was last seen.

Jaelyn has some mental disorders and spent time at a state hospital recently to work through them.

She was in a group home getting treatment in an effort to move back home with her family. On Monday night, the group home went to the Kearns Oquirrh Park Fitness Center and Jaelyn just walked away.

Amber Alert Criteria
Since Jaelyn's case doesn't meet the necessary criteria for an Amber Alert, police listed her on the missing and endangered children list.

The four criteria in Utah for an Amber Alert to be issued are:

1. Is this believed to be a child abduction?

2. Is the child 17 years of age or younger?

3. Is the victim believed to be facing imminent danger, serious bodily injury or death?

4. Is there information that could assist the public in the safe recovery of the victim or the apprehension of a suspect?

"She got upset about something and took off,” Gruenebaum said, doing her best to hold back tears.

Gruenebaum said she hasn’t slept since getting that phone call Monday night.

"We were driving all night just looking for her. We've been driving all morning and all day looking for her,” Gruenebaum said.

She wants to know her daughter is safe, but she also wants her daughter to know everything can be worked out.

"I just want you to come home,” Gruenebaum said while looking into a news camera, hoping her daughter would somehow see her message. “I miss you and I want you to be safe. I can't help you stay safe out there. I can only keep you safe if you come back."

The West Jordan Police Department is handling Jaelyn’s case.

“We just want her home,” said Gruenebaum. “We’re just asking for people to look around, wherever they are, and see if you see her. If you do, or if you see someone who you think is her, please call police.”

The West Jordan Police Department can be reached at 801-840-4000.

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