SANFORD — Ellie Thompson, the 16-year-old Sanford girl who had been missing since Tuesday afternoon, has been found and is safe.

Sanford Police in a news release issued at 2 p.m. on Thursday said Thompson was located at a private residence in Alfred through a tip provided by a member of the public.

“Thank you to everyone who gave information leading to her whereabouts and safe return home,” said Detective Eric Small on Thursday afternoon.

Small said when Maine State Police went to the Alfred house they found Thompson in good health. He said she was cooperative with police.

“She has been reunited with her parents,” Small said.

Sanford Police put out the word that Thompson was missing at 11:15 a.m. on Thursday.

Thompson, 16, had last been seen leaving her home at 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

Sanford Police detectives and officers checked with Thompson’s friends and family, and several locations locally, to no avail.

Both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Maine State Police took part in the search for Thompson.

According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 464,324 reports of missing children were filed with the FBI in 2017.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 780-9016 or twells@journaltribune.com.