They confirmed that the girl was not abducted, but ran away.
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In a press release, they said she was hiding at a residence and fled prior to detectives' arrival. However, after a search in a wooded area, She was located and is currently in police care.
With tears in their eyes and a knot in their throat, hundreds came together to sing in unison for a young teen's safe return earlier Wednesday.
Some total strangers made the drive to Magnolia to pray for the girl who went missing Tuesday night in the Indigo Lakes subdivision.
Her family was in attendance sitting in the front row.
"It's just hard to wrap your head around something like this," said Ashely Barnes.
The girl last text her parents after 8 p.m. Tuesday. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office said she had been riding a UTV in the neighborhood.
The vehicle and her cell phone were found abandoned in a wooded area near a park.
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"We had one man jog 5 or 6 miles to see what he could do, he didn't have a car, he just showed up to help," said one volunteer leading the search.
During Wednesday's vigil, the girl's father thanked everyone for their help so far and said this:
"Anyone who knows Ryder knows that she is a true believer in God, and I know right now wherever she is, God is with her. And I pray that she will come home. And if it's time for her, it's time for her, but she will be with God, I know she will."
He closed by asking everyone to help pray the "Our Father," the prayer he and his daughter recite every night before bed.
DPS, Montgomery County Precinct 5 Constables and the Harris County Sheriff's Office all assisted MCSO in the search.
Harris County K-9 units were also on the ground to help look for her.