Two 13-year-old girls named Eva and Neillily have gone missing after attending a basketball game at Elbert School in Colorado.
The girls, who were part of the visiting team from Colorado Springs School (CSS), vanished around 5:00 PM on what should have been a fun evening of sports.
Local authorities and the community are now rallying together in a desperate search to bring them home safely.
The alert first came from Elbert School District #200, which posted an urgent message on its Facebook page.
They explained that the two middle school-aged girls left the school with their backpacks during the games. Both were wearing blue shorts and hoodies at the time.
The district urged anyone with information to call 911 immediately, stressing the need for quick action in such cases.
Bree O’Neil, a concerned community member, stepped up to help by sharing images of the girls with their parents’ permission.
She encouraged everyone to spread the word far and wide.
According to O’Neil, Eva and Neillily are both 13 years old and quite outdoorsy savvy, which might give some hope that they could handle themselves in the wilderness if that’s where they ended up.
They were dressed in their basketball clothes and carrying small backpacks with unknown contents. O’Neil’s post highlighted the last sighting at Elbert School around 5:00 PM.
As the night wore on, updates painted a worrying picture. At 11:13 PM, O’Neil shared that Search and Rescue teams had scoured a five-mile radius but found no sign of the girls.
They paused operations for the night, planning to resume at dawn.
Elbert School District followed up, confirming the girls were still missing and asking the community to keep an eye out while praying for their safe return.
They noted that Search and Rescue was actively involved and appreciated the community’s support.
A few hours later, the district provided more guidance.
They suggested that residents in the Academy East area check their properties quickly, as this could aid the search without interfering.
They warned against driving around or expanding searches on their own, since that might hinder professional efforts.
If anyone spots anything suspicious, they should contact 911 right away.
The situation escalated enough that Elbert School announced a cancellation for classes on December 16th.
The school is serving as the incident command post for law enforcement and rescue teams.
This decision underscores the seriousness of the search and the need to focus resources on finding Eva and Neillily.
The district promised to keep the community updated as more information becomes available.
The news has sparked an outpouring of concern and support from locals and beyond.
One commenter, known as Brilliantly Gifted One, shared prayers for the girls’ safe reunion with their families.
They expressed hope that nothing sinister like kidnapping was involved and offered advice to kids about not running away, reminding them that adulthood comes soon enough and family love is irreplaceable.
Brittany Silva provided a timeline update, noting that as of 12:40 AM on December 16th, the girls had been missing for about eight hours with no leads from Search and Rescue.
Anna Haiar, from a nearby school in the same league, sent prayers from her community at ECA.
She mentioned keeping an eye on her cameras, even though her home is a bit south of Elbert.
Another Facebook user, Ci Ci, revealed a personal connection, saying one of the girls is her friend’s daughter.
She clarified that the backpacks had been located, so the girls do not have them anymore. Ci Ci included pictures in the comments and urged shares, as they were gathered at the school coordinating efforts.
This case highlights how quickly a routine event like a school basketball game can turn into a nightmare for families and communities.
Colorado has seen several missing persons cases recently, including other at-risk teens in the Colorado Springs area, but each one demands full attention.
Authorities often emphasize that the first hours are critical, and public vigilance can make all the difference.
If you live in or near Elbert or Colorado Springs and have any information, no matter how small, please reach out to 911 or local law enforcement.
Sharing posts on social media can also help spread the word to a wider audience.
Let’s all hope and work towards a positive outcome where Eva and Neillily are found safe and sound soon.
The community’s unity in times like these shows the best of the human spirit.
