Missing 6-year-old girl found safe after intense search efforts

CUDAHY, Wis. - 6-year-old Madalyn Chitwood was found safe after missing for several hours Friday morning, June 9.

Her absence sent panic into the hearts of her family and all those that know her.

"She’s got a lot of people who care about her, love her," said Liz Lucht, who helped with the search.

Maddie, as known by her loved ones, was reported missing by her mother around 9 a.m. Police said she was last seen at her bedtime. 

Police asked neighbors to check their home surveillance cameras for any sign of the child. Volunteers helped with the search.

SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News

 "It’s amazing to see how the community has come together," said Liz Lucht. "Workers at the school, neighbors, friend’s family."

Around 1 p.m., Maddie was found, and the search was called off. The Cudahy police chief said Maddie walked out of her home sometime in the early morning to play at a friend's house.

Her friends' parents did not know she was reported missing. The police chief said as officers and family were canvassing the neighborhood, Maddie saw her father and called out to him. Bringing an end to the search and great relief to a community that desperately wanted to find her.

"Very scary situation, a mother’s worst nightmare," said Lucht.

State authorities and the FBI assisted in this search. Cudahy police said this incident is still under investigation. FOX6 News tried to talk to the family, but they had no comment.