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GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. — The search for a missing 16-year-old Ohio girl who vanished Thursday morning in Grand Teton National Park continued Friday.
Fauna Jackson, a member of Groundwork USA, was last seen by her coworkers around 8:45 a.m. on the east side of US Highway 89, southwest of Triangle X Ranch. The group was doing a service project, and Jackson’s coworkers say she did not return from a short bathroom break.
“It’s all hands on deck,” National Park Spokeswoman Denise Germann told EastIdahoNews.com. “All of our employees are assisting in the search and helping look for Fauna.”
Teton Interagency Dispatch Center received a call around 10 a.m. Thursday reporting Jackson was missing.
Rangers immediately did a search of the area with no evidence of the teen. Germann said ground search crews, aerial reconnaissance by a helicopter, dog search teams and vehicle and engine road patrols were initiated.
The Wyoming Civil Air Patrol helped with aerial patrols Thursday night using infrared imaging to detect sources emitting heat on the ground. No signs of Jackson were found.
The teen was with a group of about 20 Groundwork USA members who had been working in the park for the past week. They have assisted with trail, vegetation and historic structure projects, Germann said.
Groundwork USA is a national organization that helps revitalize neighborhoods and transform communities. Teams are created to address environmental issues, enhance career skills and share environmental awareness through conservation and restoration work.
More than 60 people from Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Teton County, Wyoming, Search and Rescue and Teton County, Wyoming, Sheriff’s Office have been involved in search management and activities.
Additional search crews arrived early Friday morning to assist with ground and vehicle searches. Volunteer searchers are not needed at this time, Germann said.
Jackson was last seen wearing a white hat, tan pants and long-sleeve green shirt that says “Find Your Park” and “Groundwork USA.” She may have a purple backpack.
Anyone with information on Jackson’s whereabouts is ask to contact Grand Teton National Park at 307-739-3517 with any information that may assist in the search for Jackson.
