Search continues for missing Trumbull County girl

Staff/wire report

NORTH BLOOMFIELD

Photo

The search was to continue this morning for a missing toddler whose family says she wandered away Friday while staying at her great-grandparents’ house.

Trumbull County Sheriff Tom Altiere said state and federal officers joined the search Saturday. The family reported 2-year-old Rainn Peterson missing early Friday evening.

Altiere said the family said the girl was with her two young brothers before she disappeared.

The family has been cooperating with investigators, and there were no signs of violence at the home, the sheriff said.

Police dogs and a helicopter along with the FBI were assisting in the search Saturday. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Marshals office are other participating agencies. Altiere said search dogs from the Columbus area are also being used.

Rainn’s mother, Brandi Peterson, issued a plea to the public: “We can’t find her anywhere. We looked everywhere, in the house, outside and I just hope that if anyone finds her they please call us as soon as possible because she is 2 years old, and she’s little and she’s out there all alone,” she told 21 WFMJ-TV, The Vindicator’s broadcast partner.

Rainn was last seen at 7759 state Route 45 at about 7:20 p.m. Friday. Altiere said investigators are looking into the possibility that the child left the home through the garage, but are following every possible lead.

According to Vindicator broadcast partner 21 WFMJ-TV, the child has been in the temporary custody of her great-grandparents who live at the home on state Route 45. Detectives also have interviewed sex offenders who live in the area where the child disappeared.

Altiere said his office had been with Rainn’s father, her mother’s parents and other family all day Saturday. The family has been cooperative, he said.

The results from lie detector tests administered to family members were not available as of 8 p.m..

Rainn’s mother, Brandi Peterson, has been living with a friend, whom she was with at the time of her daughter’s disappearance.

The Ohio Attorney General has posted an alert for the missing child on its missing persons website.

Rainn was last seen wearing a purple long-sleeved shirt, gray pants and multi-colored shoes.

Altiere said an AMBER alert has not been issued because officials have not determined that this is an abduction case.