11-year-old girl missing from youth shelter in Orange County

An 11-year old girl who went missing from an Orange County children’s shelter was being sought Thursday, authorities said.

Brittany Georgia Mitchell, who had been living at the Orangewood Children’s Home, left the facility with two of her friends and went to the nearby Outlets at Orange mall Wednesday, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

The girl’s companions returned, but the 11-year-old did not, authorities said.

The girl was last seen at 9:30 a.m., wearing all black with the letters “CA” emblazoned on the front of her sweatshirt.

Orange County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Lt. Jeff Hallock said that she had left of her own accord, and that there was nothing to indicate a kidnapping or foul play.

“She’s a runaway,” he said. “We’re continuing to follow up on some leads, and we’re making contact with a case worker that she’s had over the past couple of months who will provide us with better information.”

The Orangewood Children’s Home is shelter for neglected, abused and abandoned youths. It was unclear how long the 11-year-old had resided there.

The girl is described as 5 feet tall, weighing 110 pounds with brown eyes and hair and is known to frequent the Anaheim area.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at (714) 647-7000 or (714) 936-0763. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to OC Crime Stoppers at 885-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or occrimestoppers.org.