HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) – Horry County Police confirm investigators found a missing 12-year-old girl and one arrest was made in the case.

Lt. Jamie DeBari with Horry County Police says Blankenship was found Wednesday afternoon at approximately 1 p.m. in the area of Highway 22 and Robert Edge Parkway in the North Myrtle Beach Section of Horry County.

The girl was immediately taken into Emergency Protective Custody.

HCPD arrested Danny Dewayne Hardee, 25 of Conway. Charges are pending at this time.

When speaking with WMBF News Reporter Evan Lambert Wednesday morning, family members of McCarrie C. Blankenship, reported missing Sunday afternoon, voiced concerns the young girl may be with a former neighbor.

Blankenship's family members said Wednesday morning the 12-year-old may have been with an older male who previously lived near the family. Loved ones of the previously missing preteen believe the former neighbor and Blankenship had some type of relationship, but did not delve further into the details.

Family members say they're relieved the girl was found.

"Thank God she's safe. I thank everybody that's been out there trying to help find her. You don't know what it's like to have a mess like this," said Geraldine Harris, Blankenship's grandmother and legal guardian.

The family says they have a long list of people to thank and are looking forward to a reunion with McCarrie.

"I'll probably hug her and love her and tell her how much I miss her and don't ever do this again," said Harris.

Horry County Police confirmed Wednesday morning they had a person of interest in Blankenship's case, but would not release the name of that individual. Since Hardee's arrest they are saying he was that person of interest.

The Horry County Police Department discovered the bike of the missing 12-year-old Tuesday evening but did not release the location where the bike was found. In addition, police did not limit the search for Blankenship to one area, but continued to search all of Horry County until she was found.

Lt. Jamie DeBari, said Blankenship was last seen around 4 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the intersection of Loop Road and Highway 366 in the Loris area at the time she was reported missing.

Blankenship was last seen wearing a white sundress with bows on both shoulders and blue shorts. She was seen carrying a pink and white backpack. Police have not released information on the condition of the girl after being found.

DeBari said Blankenship had threatened to run away on Saturday when she became upset about a recent move.

Source: http://www.live5news.com/story/14990752/hcpd-searches-for-missing-preteen

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