Search for missing 5-year-old Lizzie Shelley in Cache County continues into a fourth day

Logan City Police Chief Gary Jensen said he is still holding out hope that police will find 5-year-old Elizabeth “Lizzie” Shelley and finding her is their first priority, both for her family and for the criminal case against her uncle, 21-year-old Alex Whipple.

“From the evidence we have, we believe Lizzy is hurt but we don’t know what condition she is in,” Jensen told reporters Tuesday. Jensen emphasized police have strong DNA evidence linking Shelley to Whipple, who was arrested Saturday in a rural area on the southern end of Cache County.

An arresting document states Whipple refused to identify himself to the arresting officer multiple times and attempted to flee the scene, but two deputies attached to each arm and handcuffed him. Deputies searched his clothing and found a metal baseball bat, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and an unopened beer can in his pockets.

Court documents show Whipple had prior convictions of drug possession and leading police on a chase in a stolen vehicle.

An arrest warrant was issued for Whipple in April after he allegedly stopped attending probation and substance abuse treatment meetings, and the deputies arrested him on those charges, then took him to the Logan Police Department for questioning. Jensen said he invoked his right to remain silent and did not cooperate with the investigation.

Whipple appeared for a court arraignment with Judge Kevin Allen via video call from the Cache County Jail on Thursday for charges relating to his arrest, but unrelated to Shelley’s disappearance.

Jensen said the search for Shelley has focused primarily within the 10-mile radius where Whipple was found and the half-mile radius surrounding Shelley’s home.

“At this point, we anticipate Alex going before the courts later on, we’re not quite sure what’s going to happen at this point, but again our case is progressing and we feel strongly that we have evidence connecting Alex to Lizzie’s disappearance,” Jensen said.

21-year-old Alex Whipple, who believe suspect is connected to the disappearance of a 5-year-old girl.

Jensen emphasized how much law enforcement has relied on tips from the community and encouraged anyone with knowledge to contact the Logan City Police Department.

Reporter Jason Walker contributed to this story.