Authorities: Body is that of missing girl - wave3.com-Louisville News, Weather & Sports

WESTMINSTER, Colo. (AP) - A body found in a suburban Denver park was identified Friday as that of a missing 10-year-old girl, as anxious parents kept close and watch over their children because of potential predator in their midst, authorities said.

"Our focus has changed from the search for Jessica to a mission of justice for Jessica," Westminster Police Chief Lee Birk said. "We realize there is a predator at large in our community."

The body of Jessica Ridgeway was found Wednesday about 7 miles southwest of her home. Authorities said it was not intact, but they did not explain further.

Ridgeway began a short walk from her home to Witt Elementary School on the morning of Oct. 5 but never arrived. A massive search by hundreds of law enforcement officers did not start until hours later because Jessica's mother works nights and slept through a call from school officials saying Jessica wasn't there.

The FBI has warned residents that she may have been abducted by someone they know and asking them to be alert for people they know who might have suddenly changed their appearance or uncharacteristically missed work or appointments.

"It could be your boss, it could be your friend, and ultimately it could be your family member," FBI spokesman Dave Joly said. "We suspect someone in the community knows this individual."

Signs of the tragedy have been everywhere in Jessica's neighborhood of two-story, modest homes with single-car garages.

During the past week, officers have searched homes and yards. They kept guard at crosswalks and photographed cars entering the neighborhood. Mailboxes and trees were encircled by ribbons in Jessica's favorite color, purple.

"I don't feel safe for my daughter anymore, anywhere," said Stacey Oppie, who lives in the neighborhood.

Two months ago, Oppie started letting her daughter play unsupervised with a friend at the park that Jessica customarily passed on her way to school. She doesn't intend to do that anymore.

"We're all a little bit on alert, but it's not fear. We're angry because this is a good neighborhood," Oppie said.

Jessica's disappearance hit close to home for Chelsea Bozsak, a senior at nearby Standley Lake High School, where Jessica's cousin attends classes.

"It's so scary because you never think something like this could happen in your community," Bozsak said.

Courtney Sullivan, also a senior at Standley Lake, said her father spoke to her and her younger brother about Jessica's disappearance.

"He's definitely talked to us about being more careful about our surroundings. You could see why," said Sullivan, a cross-country runner who often uses neighborhood streets. "I'm running in places where there's lights, busy roads, where I can get to someplace if I need to."

Retired FBI behavioral analyst Clinton Van Zandt told The Associated Press that tip-offs about the suspect could include someone suddenly growing a beard, getting a new haircut or other changes in appearance. Other clues might be out-of-character behavior, such as someone detailing a car when he normally would have only washed it, Van Zandt said.

Police have said they don't suspect Jessica's parents, Sarah Ridgeway, who lives with Jessica in Westminster, and Jeremiah Bryant, of Missouri.

The only substantive clue police have disclosed was the discovery of her backpack and water bottle in Superior, about six miles from her home, two days after she disappeared. Police won't discuss what was found in the bag or test results involving it.

Authorities say a body found in a suburban Denver park is that of missing 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway.

The disclosure came Friday, a week after the fifth-grader disappeared after leaving her Westminster home to meet friends for the short walk to school.

The body was found Wednesday about 7 miles southwest of her home. Authorities said it was not intact, but they did not release further details.

Two days after she disappeared, Jessica's backpack was found in a neighborhood about six miles north of her house.

Authorities say she may have been abducted by someone in the community.

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