UPDATE: Chicago police said Estefania Herrera, an 18-year-old senior at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School who was last seen Friday, Oct. 17, has been found safe.
Police have not released any details about her disappearance, but the school in a statement on social media Friday evening, confirmed Herrera had been located.
“Estefania Herrera has been found. Thank you for all of the prayers because they were heard!”
According to the Chicago Police Department, Herrera is 5 feet 4 inches tall and about 200 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes. Investigators said she was wearing a black and white checkered fleece top and blue jeans, and carrying two backpacks, one red and one blue. She disappeared on her way to a swim meet.
Detectives from the Area One Special Victims Unit are handling the case and working with Herrera’s family and school officials.
In a message to families, Mother McAuley officials said the school community “is praying for the safe return of senior Estefania Herrera” and asked others to keep her and her family in their thoughts.
Students, teachers and staff gathered on Wednesday, Oct. 22, for a prayer vigil at the school.
At the family’s request, a community prayer vigil was held the next evening, Thursday, Oct. 23, at 5:30 p.m., at Nativity of Our Lord Church, 653 W. 37th St.
Police said the investigation remains open. The family and school continue to ask anyone who may have seen or heard from Herrera since Oct. 17 to contact the Area One Special Victims Unit at 312-747-8380.