The two Valders girls missing since early August have been found unharmed in Mississippi and taken into protective custody. Manitowoc County Sheriff Lt. Jason Jost says that 15-year-old Sara Copple of Valders and 7-year-old Delilah Gauthier of Whitelaw were found last Friday while Delilah’s father, 24- year-old Zachary Gauthier was apprehended in Alabama. Arrangements for extradition are being made for his return to Wisconsin through the State Department of Corrections—Probation/Parole. Jost says the two girls were both last seen August 3rd, three days later authorities took a report of a missing/runaway juvenile from Valders. Another report was later received regarding another missing juvenile and her father from the Whitelaw area. It was later determined that Gauthier and the two girls were travelling together and they were listed as missing and wanted persons through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office assisted the U.S. Marshall’s Office and FBI in locating all three individuals. Arrangements are being made for Delilah and Sarah’s return home. The Sheriff’s Office thanks everyone for their efforts and assistance and encourage anyone with information that may aid in the investigation to please call Detective Oswald or Lt. Jost at 683-4200.
