Missing Fremont 3-year-old found dead in San Jose, police confirm
UPDATE
FREMONT, Calif. - A girl found dead in San Jose has been identified as the missing 3-year-old Fremont girl, police confirmed.
Ellie Lorenzo, was determined to be missing shortly after her father died Friday.
The body of the little girl was found at a recycling facility in San Jose.
In a statement, family and friends said they are heartbroken about their loss.
"We are heartbroken at the loss of our dear sweet Ellie. She was the most charming, funny, smart, friendly little girl. Ellie loved dancing and meeting new people. She so easily made friends and spread so much joy everywhere she went," a friend shared on behalf of the family.
"She will be remembered for her smart and curious mind, her big smile, and her warm loving heart. Ellie's life was full of so many people who loved her so much and will miss her beyond words can explain. We wanted to extend our thanks to the community at large in their support through the search for Ellie," the statement continued.
The San Jose Police Department is leading the homicide investigation.
"Our department is saddened to learn Ellie has not survived. Our hearts are heavy for Ellie’s family, and we will continue to support them during this difficult time…On behalf of our department and community, please keep everyone impacted by this tragedy in your thoughts and prayers," Fremont Police Chief Sean Washington said on social media.
Her father was also found dead in San Francisco on Friday. It's unclear how her father died.
ORIGINAL STORY
Fremont police are asking for the public's help in locating a 3-year-old girl whose father died Friday.
Ellie Lorenzo is described as Black, about 3 feet tall and weighing about 60 pounds, police said. She has black hair and brown eyes.
The child was last seen about 6 p.m. on Thursday at the Casa Arroyo Apartments on Rancho Arroyo Parkway in Fremont, police said.
The girl was with her father under a custody agreement, police said.
Missing 3-year-old: Ellie Lorenzo is described as Black, about 3 feet tall and weighing about 60 pounds, police said.
Her biological mother reported the child missing about 12:25 p.m. Friday after she learned that the father was found dead in San Francisco, police said.
The woman told police that the father was to have returned Ellie to her Friday night.
Fremont police held a late-night news conference about the missing girl.
Sgt. Kim MacDonald said police received a welfare check from the girl's mother who wanted police to check on her daughter at her father's Fremont home.
The girl was not believed to have been with her father while he was in San Francisco.
Police with multiple agencies are conducting welfare checks in the Bay Area and Southern California. This is because they are following leads from cameras and the deceased father's cell phone. GPS from the phone tracked several locations in the Bay Area.
Police have also reached out to contacts in the father's phone for more information.
The San Francisco Police Department is investigating the death of the father. They located the vehicle the father was driving in San Francisco.
Anyone with information on the girl's whereabouts is asked to call Fremont police at (510) 790-6800 option 3.
KTVU contributed to this report.