FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2026

Morgantown Police Searching for Runaway Juvenile from Putnam Street

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Morgantown Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a runaway juvenile who left a residence at 134 Putnam Street at approximately 5:37 p.m. today.

The juvenile is identified as:

• Name: Josie Janie Mae Ritter
• Date of Birth: June 19, 2010 (15 years old)
• Description: White female, approximately 5 feet 3 inches tall, around 100 pounds, blonde hair

Ritter was last seen wearing:

• Gray or plaid sweatpants or pajama pants
• A purple and blue tie‑dye hoodie
• A dark‑colored jacket

She was last observed running toward Richwood Avenue from Putnam Street.

Additional information gathered by investigators includes:

• Ritter is known to frequent the Goodwill store on Earl L. Core Road.
• She may have been dropped off near the apartment complex at Walnut and Brockway Avenue, though this has not been confirmed.
• Businesses along Earl L. Core Road have been notified.
• During a previous runaway incident, she was located in the Cheat Road/Venture Drive area.
• She has been entered into the NCIC database as a runaway.

At this time, the Morgantown Police Department does not have a photo of Ritter available to release.

Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is urged to contact the Morgantown Police Department at 304-284-7522, option 0, or call MECCA 911 immediately.

The Morgantown Police Department appreciates the community’s assistance in helping ensure the juvenile’s safe return.

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