Missing FiDi Girl, 17, Found Safe and Well on Lower East Side

Sophie Barker was found in an library in the Lower East Side. Photo by Saida Barker.

Sophie Barker, a mentally disabled teenager of 17 years old, was found in good health and safety late on Friday afternoon following her disappearance on Thursday morning from her father’s house located in the Financial District, her mother, Saida Barker, confirmed. Police found the girl at Seward Park Library. Seward Park Library on East Broadway.

“The community showed immense support and flooded downtown with flyers, and people canvassing the streets,” Barker wrote to the Trib via text. “There were several chats from downtown dedicated to mobilize people and thanks to them and the NYPD we were able to find her.”

Barker described the security guard at the library “the real breakthrough since he called it in after seeing the [all points bulletin].” First Precinct detectives “immediately rushed to the location,” she explained, “subsequently calling Sophie’s stepdad and then FaceTiming him to verify it was her.” Seventh Precinct officers supported EMS staff who helped lead Sophie onto an ambulance added.

Sophie was last observed on Thursday at about 11:00 a.m. in the area of William and Wall Street after leaving her father’s house with her cellphone to go for a coffee. The family was concerned that she could be unable to locate her missing amount of the medication, and may be experiencing an “medical emergency,” her mother said to the Trib. Libraries were reported as being among her top spots, a close family friend stated.