Alexander Whipple arrested and charged in connection to the disappearance of 5 year old Utah girl, Elizabeth Jessica Shelley over the weekend. Motive unknown.
Utah authorities have arrested a missing 5 year old girl’s uncle- who they now suspect as the culprit behind the girl’s sudden disappearance over the weekend.
Elizabeth Jessica Shelley was last seen at her home by her mom around 2 a.m. Saturday, Logan City Police Captain Tyson Budge told via FOX 8.
When her parents woke up at 10 a.m., Elizabeth was gone along with the girl’s 21-year-old uncle, Alexander Whipple. Whipple was later found walking around the city alone.
Whipple, the missing child’s mother’s brother- had visited the family home the night before and was last seen around the same time as his niece.
Whipple was taken into custody later Saturday and arrested on a warrant for absconding from probation and booked into the Cache County Jail, the Logan City Police Department said in a statement posted to Facebook. He was being held Sunday on $250,000 bond, with authorities calling him uncooperative.
‘We’re very concerned,’ Logan Capt. Tyson Budge said via the Lake Salt Tribunal. ‘At this point, we believe she’s been harmed.’
### Missing 5 year old Utah girl found dead- Uncle admits killing her, blames alcohol
Missing girl, Elizabeth Jessica Shelley linked to her druggie uncle, Alexander Whipple:
Investigators continued their search for Elizabeth on Memorial Day — with Budge telling CNN that he believes the case is ‘not going to end well.’
Police said they were unable to release all of the relevant details about the investigation.
‘We understand the frustration and the many willing persons who want to help with this search,’ police posted on Facebook Monday. ‘As soon as we have that need we will reach out. More information will be released as the day progresses. Once again thank you all for your willingness and for what you are doing with food and drinks to help us with the large numbers working with us.
A burner phone Whipple was allegedly using was among the evidence found at the girl’s home, allegedly linking him to her disappearance, according to Budge.
It is believed the missing girl’s uncle, Alex Whipple having prior drugs related arrests.
Elizabeth is described as being around 3-foot-6 with shoulder-length curly brown hair, choppy bangs and brown eyes. Authorities do not know what kind of shirt she was wearing, but it is believed that she wore either blue jeans or a teal-colored plaid skirt.
Logan is about 80 miles north of Salt Lake City, close to the state’s border with Idaho.
It remains unclear why the missing girl’s uncle may have sought to kidnap her and impart any possible harm on the young girl.
Authorities urged anyone with information to call 435.753.7555.
