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Missouri teen surfaces in city

By Staff Report - | Nov 20, 2007

A 17-year-old girl from Independence, Mo., who was missing since Saturday afternoon was found safe Tuesday in Tonganoxie.

Independence Police couldn’t say where Daffny Velder was when they made contact with her Tuesday night, but according to Leavenworth County Sheriff Dave Zoellner, the girl was in the Tonganoxie area.

Independence Police said Velder got into a disagreement at home and left Saturday. They said in Missouri a 17-year-old is a legal adult.

Daffny’s mother, Nancy Velder, thanked the community and the Independence Police Department for their work during a news conference Wednesday.

“There are not enough words to express our gratitude and appreciation for the outpouring of love and prayers and support that the people of Kansas City have sent as we searched for out daughter,” Nancy Velder said.

Nancy also thanked Greg and Melissa Smith for their support during “the darkest hours of our life.”

The Smiths’ daughter, Kelsey, was abducted from an Overland Park Target and her body was found later in Grandview, Mo.

Police Clerk Sandy Koontz said the Tonganoxie Police Department was not involved with the investigation or Velder’s discovery.