Police were overwhelmed at the goodwill shown by the Putaruru community earlier today when a two-year-old girl went missing. The police station was besieged with offers of assistance from members of the public through to the volunteer fire service.
The little girl wandered off from the property where she lives at approximately 11.30am and a major search effort was initiated. About three-and-a-quarter hours later occupants of a house nearby went to investigate some noises and located the little girl who had wandered onto their property. She was safe and well and the occupants of the house immediately alerted the police.
Police would like to thank the local community for their significant support.