GREELEY — Kayleah Wilson’s former step-father said this afternoon he was “dumbfounded” by her disappearance, adding he’s told Greeley Police and the FBI everything he knows about the 12-year-old to help ensure she gets back home soon.
“I’m just hoping for her safe return, wherever she is,” said Jesse Wilson, the ex-husband of Kayleah’s mother — April Wilson.
Kayleah has been missing since Sunday afternoon, when she left home at 3:40 p.m. to walk about eight blocks to a birthday party. April Wilson reported her daughter missing at about 10 p.m. Sunday.
The FBI joined in the search for Kayleah Wednesday and began interviewing family and friends of the girl. An FBI evidence team Thursday afternoon was in and out of the apartment Kayleah shared with her mom, grandmother and brother.
Wilson said he has had no contact with Kayleah for the past four years, but he wasn’t aware of any problems she may have had with her mother or anyone else.
He said he couldn’t dismiss the idea that Kayleah may have gone to California to be with her biological father.
“He’s tried to get her to come out there,” Wilson said. “It could be possible.”
Students at Kayleah’s school — Brentwood Middle School — have been actively seeking information on her whereabouts and cooperating with police and the FBI, said Brentwood principal John Diebold.
“For 12-year-olds to be talking the FBI, that’s a little intimidating,” Diebold said. “But these kids want to do anything they can to get her back safely.”
