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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Two girls found after leaving Ponderosa Elementary School during recess

By Jonathan Glover and Will Campbell The Spokesman-Review

After five girls walked away from recess at Ponderosa Elementary School, three were quickly found, but two girls, age 11 and 12, were missing for hours while a helicopter searched for them Friday afternoon.

The girls walked away from afternoon recess at about 1 p.m., said Marla Nunberg, spokesperson Central Valley School District. Deputies alerted the parents and the girls were found at about 4:45 p.m., according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

The two girls are Marayja Claassen, 11, and Addison Mercer, 12, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

It’s not clear why they walked away from school.

The school, at 10105 E. Cimmaron Drive, is surrounded by homes and the Dishman Hills Conservation Area to the west.

“We are thankful to report that the two students have been found and reunited with their families,” Nunberg said. “We are grateful for the swift work of the sheriffs department in safely locating them.”