Jessica Ridgeway, Missing Colorado Girl Search Advances and Expands with New Evidence and More Volunteers

The search for Jessica Ridgeway, a 10-year-old Colorado girl who has been missing since Friday, has expanded to over 100 law enforcement and volunteers avidly searching the rocky terrains and roadsides of Colorado and now Missouri. New evidence may also help to advance the search and provide more information on Ridgeway's mysterious disappearance - a backpack containing a water bottle with Ridgeway's name on it was found on Sunday, Oct. 7 approximately six miles away from the location where the young student was last seen. The Colorado Crime Lab is currently searching the items for traces of possible DNA evidence.

When Ridgeway didn't show up for class at Witt Elementary School on Friday (Oct. 5), staff members left a message for her mother (who didn't receive the message until about 4:30 p.m. that afternoon). Soon after, an Amber Alert was issued. While the search for the missing 10-year-old continues, Colorado police are checking reports in regards to a suspicious-looking man who was seen approaching children three weeks ago.

According to authorities, Ridgeway's backpack is the only trace that has been found of the missing girl since Friday. Family and friends claim that Ridgeway left her Westminster home that morning to meet up with classmates and walk the three blocks to school - a routine route which she took every day.

Police and FBI agents are urgently going door-to-door in Ridgeway's neighborhood asking people to search their vehicles, yards, and homes - anything to help provide clues as to the youngster's whereabouts. New volunteers are also posting flyers throughout the area to alert locals of the missing girl situation. The rescue team is also seeking donations for such items including generators, utility extension cords, trash cans, and outdoor lights.

As for the backpack and water bottle - "The bottom line is to give us ideas and evidence to who may have been in contact with it and where can we focus the search," said Westminster Police Detective Trevor Materasso.

For more information on the missing girl case and to find out more ways you can help, check out the Facebook page dedicated to Ridgeway's disappearance and hopefully return. Two vigils are set to be held for Ridgeway on Tuesday, Oct. 9. Anyone with information should call: 303-658-4336.