Anna, who lives in Lowell, was last seen between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday near East Merrimack Street in the Belvidere neighborhood, according to a statement from the Lowell Police Department. She is 4 feet, 7 inches tall and weighs about 70 pounds, officials said.
Anna is on the autism spectrum and is non-verbal, according to police. She was last seen wearing black shorts, a white vest, and a purple hair tie, and she may be riding a bike.
Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan asked Lowell residents to join the search during a news conference Sunday evening.
“As we are losing daylight . . . those living in the Belvidere section near East Merrimack Street, through the area of River Road on the Tewksbury line, we are asking people to go outside, to do a real search of their backyards, of playhouses, under wood piles, in a shed they may have — any place that a 4-foot-7, 70 pound, 7-year-old little girl could be hiding,” Ryan said, according to video posted online by a reporter for WCVB-TV.
The Lowell Police Department continues to search for Anna and is urging all residents to search their properties (sheds, vehicles, boats, pools, etc.). Anna is a 7 year old black female, 4’7”, 70 lbs., last seen wearing black shorts, white vest, and purple hair tie. https://t.co/bGwV9Yp715
— Lowell PD (@LowellPD)
Lowell police deployed multiple officers, the K-9 Unit, and the Drone Unit to aid in the search, according to the statement. They are also being assisted by the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council K-9 Unit, the State Police Airwing, the State Police K-9 Unit, and the Lowell Fire Department.
Lowell police warned residents to expect a large police presence in the area during the search.
NOW: Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan with an urgent plea for help — anyone in the Belvidere neighborhood of Lowell, near E Merrimack St, please check your yards, sheds, playhouses, anywhere a child could hide, for 7yo Anna, before it gets dark. #wcvb pic.twitter.com/zwXgyQjRfw
— Emily Maher (@EmilyMaherTV)
Lowell police asked anyone who has information regarding Anna’s whereabouts to call 911 or contact them at 978-937-3200.
Gia Orsino can be reached at gia.orsino@globe.com.
This content was originally published here.