Missing Aurora sisters found 'safe and sound'
Two young girls reported missing late Thursday in Aurora are "safe and sound."
They returned home Friday afternoon after apparently spending Thursday night at the home of Patricia Chavez's 16-year-old boyfriend, Aurora Police spokesman Dan Ferrelli said. He said Chavez, 14, stayed out because she was looking for attention from her family.
"Thank God they're OK," the girl's mother, Zulema Pena said Friday after the family returned home from visits with police and to the hospital. "They were with a friend," she said, before thanking everyone for their support.
Aurora police launched an extensive search after Patricia and her 4-year-old sister Maria, who both live on the 500 block of Spring Street, failed to return home Thursday evening after going to a grocery store around the corner from their near east side home. Security cameras show the girls inside the store, located on the 600 block of East New York Street, and leaving about 6:40 p.m., officials said.
When they failed to return home, the girls' mother contacted Aurora police about 11:15 p.m. Thursday.
The two girls returned home around 3:30 p.m. Friday.
Police said they do not expect to file any charges in connection with the case.
• Daily Herald staff writers Christy Gutowski and Catherine Edman contributed to this report.