Missing Virginia Toddler Found Safe After Overnight Search Involving FBI
Bridget Maeve Zeigler, 2, was found on Friday afternoon after local and federal investigators launched an all-out search, including aviation and K9 resources. Cumberland Sheriffs Dept
A tense overnight search in Cumberland County, Virginia, ended with a reassuring outcome Friday afternoon when 2-year-old Bridget Maeve Zeigler was found alive in a wooded area and reunited with her parents.
Bridget was located around 1:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, in the woods off Anderson Highway, according to information reported by Virginia State Police. Authorities said she appeared to be in good health.
The discovery brought an end to an extensive multi-agency operation that involved the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police, the FBI, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, as well as additional law enforcement, fire and rescue agencies. Aviation and K-9 resources were also deployed during the search.
Bridget Walked Away From Her Home Thursday Evening
Bridget was last seen at about 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, along Hidden Valley Road in Cumberland County. Authorities said she was believed to have walked away from her home on foot.
The area around her home is heavily wooded, adding urgency to the search as authorities worked through the night to locate the toddler.
At the time she disappeared, Bridget was wearing an orange dress, a blue coat and white sneakers. Virginia State Police described her as a 2-year-old white female with short brown hair and blue eyes, approximately 2 feet tall and weighing 30 pounds.
Authorities were notified within an hour of her disappearance, and a CODI Alert was issued later Thursday night on behalf of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. The alert is used when authorities determine that a missing child’s disappearance presents a credible threat to the child’s health and safety.
Search Expanded Through the Night
As the hours passed without word of Bridget’s whereabouts, the search expanded beyond local law enforcement.
The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police, FBI and Virginia Department of Emergency Management joined additional police, fire and rescue agencies in the effort. Search teams used aircraft and K-9 units to cover the wooded area and surrounding ground.
Authorities also appealed to members of the community for assistance. Residents with cameras on their properties were asked to check for possible sightings, while hunters in the area were urged to review their trail-camera footage for any indication that Bridget had passed through.
The search continued overnight and into Friday morning.
Toddler Found in Woods Near Home
The breakthrough came Friday afternoon when search teams located Bridget in the woods off Anderson Highway.
Reports citing Virginia State Police said she was found relatively close to her home. She was subsequently reunited with her parents and appeared to be in good health.
While Bridget was safely located, authorities have not publicly detailed exactly how she made her way from the home to the wooded area.
The successful recovery brought a welcome end to a search that had begun Thursday evening and involved multiple agencies working through the night to find the missing 2-year-old.
The Cumberland County government later confirmed the outcome in an official update, stating that the child had been found safe.