CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — UPDATE: Police in Clayton County have safely found 11-year-old girl. Police are still investigating the case.
The department said Friday they believed that her disappearance was a human trafficking case before she was found.
The department held a press conference in which they outlined how the girl left home Tuesday afternoon. They said they believed she left with an adult, though they do not know anything about the identity of that adult.
Federal authorities were involved in the search.
Police believed she had been planning to leave home with this person for some time - they said she had a packed bag and left through the back door.
"We do want you to know that we believe she is in danger," Clayton County Police spokesperson Julia Isaac said.
Police added that they are asking for the public to "please, please allow law enforcement to investigate this case." They said they have had "multiple parties that have interfered with the progress of this case," thinking they were helping.