Jessica Ridgeway, a 10-year-old girl from Westminster, Colorado, has been missing since Friday, October 5. Her parents, Sarah Ridgeway and Jeremiah Bryant, have broken their silence for the first time, telling the world that they didn’t have anything to do with their daughter’s disappearance.

Sarah, joined by 10 family members, including ex-husband Jeremiah, made a public statement in FOX 31 in Denver, CO. on Tuesday, October 9. “I know I didn’t do anything. Everybody that’s here knows I didn’t do anything,” she said, adding, “Nobody in this room did anything to harm her or a tiny hair on her little head.”

Sarah said that she knew the police had to conduct an investigation before they could eliminate her as a suspect. “I know it’s something that has to get done,” she said.

Jessica has been missing since the morning of Oct. 5. She disappeared on her way to school, last seen leaving her home at 8:30 am to walk to a park three blocks away, where she was supposed to meet with friends for the walk to school. She never made it to the park. Her backpack and water bottle were found in the neighboring town of Superior.

Sarah, who works nights, didn’t receive a message from police notifying her that Jessica hadn’t made it to class until 4:30 pm, leaving an eight-hour window of time before she was aware of Jessica’s disappearance.

Jeremiah said that, when questioned by the FBI if Sarah could have had anything to do with the disappearance, he said, “No.”

We hope that Jessica is found and returned to her family safely.

– Billy Nilles

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