“Today’s a good day. Today’s a great day,” Bart said as she put her arm around Jorgensen. “This doesn’t happen too often. (The coalition) has been to more funerals than happy times like today.”
Before Dean vanished, she wrote a chilling message in her journal: “If you’re reading this, I’m either missing or dead.” It was those words, Bart said, that drew the public’s attention to her case. As more people heard about Dean’s story, more and more tips came in to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
The agency did not release details about where Dean was found. Major crimes detectives continue looking into why Dean left. She disappeared without her prescription glasses, makeup or extra clothes.
The family feared that Dean may have been lured into sex trafficking through threats. Jorgensen said she hopes the people involved in her daughter’s disappearance are held accountable.
“The first night I called her in as missing I was scared to death,” Jorgensen said. “The last few weeks have been horrible … It’s not natural to feel hopeless and helpless.”
Jorgensen said that this could happen to any parent’s kid. She described Dean as actively involved in cheer, American Sign Language and the Clark County Explorer Program.
“She’s not any different than any other teenage girl,” Jorgensen said.
With her daughter safe, Jorgensen said the family plans to take it day by day and ensure she gets the help she needs.
The Vancouver Police Department and the FBI assisted in the search for Dean, according to the sheriff’s office.
Editor’s note: Due to the sensitive nature of this story, comments have been disabled.
