Galveston County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the 2000 block of Seaside in Crystal Beach about 3:17 AM today to reports of a 12-year-old girl that apparently wandered from her house.  The child, who family reported was autistic, disappeared sometime after 11:00 PM yesterday. 

A search was immediately staged by sheriff’s deputies and local firefighters.  They combed the area, including nearby beaches, looking for the girl. 

About 4:50 AM, deputies were alerted to the presence of a young girl aboard one of the ferries on its way from Port Bolivar to Galveston.  Deputies met the ferry when it arrived and found their missing child.  She was unharmed, saying she decided to go for a walk. 

Sheriff’s detectives believe she may have been picked up by a newspaper carrier.  They are continuing their investigation to assure no foul play was involved in her disappearance.