Investigators were trying Wednesday to get some answers surrounding a missing Nephi girl found in West Valley City in an incident investigators are calling tragic.
One of the biggest questions was whether the 11-year-old girl was high on methamphetamine, and if so, where she obtained the drug.
The girl was hyperactive and hallucinating when she was found. She was eventually taken to Primary Children's Medical Center. Detectives suspected, but had not confirmed Wednesday, that she was acting that way because of meth use.
"It is very tragic that an 11-year old girl is utilizing drugs," said West Valley police Capt. Tom McLachlan.
Investigators are also trying to determine how the girl got to West Valley and whether she was kidnapped.
The young girl was reported as an endangered runaway out of Nephi Sunday.
Late Monday, a convenience store clerk near 3200 West and 2700 South called police to report two adults and a juvenile acting suspiciously inside the store, McLachlan said.
By the time police arrived, the woman was gone. Based on statements made by the girl and the man she was with, police believe the woman with them was the young girl's biological mother, he said.
The girl's father has sole custody of his daughter, McLachlan said.
"If police can prove mom and (the man) were involved in her disappearing, kidnapping charges will be filed," he said.
Detectives had not been able to locate the woman as of Wednesday. The man the girl was with was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of harboring a runaway.
Investigators were also waiting for their chance to interview the girl at the hospital.
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