The FBI Phoenix Field Office has confirmed the death of 8-year-old Maleeka “Mollie” Boone — a Navajo girl last seen Thursday playing within tribal housing in the town of Coalmine near Tuba City — hours after the Arizona Department of Public Safety issued a Turquoise Alert in connection to her disappearance.
According to that original notice: “She has not been seen or heard from since. Her family is concerned for her welfare since it is out of character for her to be gone for an extended period of time.”
Boone’s body has since been found Friday afternoon in Coalmine following a multiagency search that included law enforcement authorities from the Arizona DPS, U.S. Marshals Service, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and Flagstaff Police Department.
The Navajo Police Department sought the state’s help in locating Maleeka, encouraging anyone with information about her whereabouts to dial 928-283-3111.
It marks the second time a Turquoise Alert has been used to find a missing Native American since its implementation in July. Now that search is over and a new investigation into her death and the circumstances surrounding it are being jointly handled by the FBI and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations.
The FBI has established a command station in Coalmine, where all residents have been asked to remain their homes amid the ongoing investigation.
In a video posted online over the weekend, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren said the community is in mourning.
"Our nation has endured tremendous pain. These moments remind us just how sacred our children are and how deeply connected every life is within our Navajo community," said Nygren.
KJZZ's Greg Hahne contributed to this report.
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