Ground search for missing California mom put on hold

Mountain Gate, Calif. – Law enforcement and volunteer groups have put the ground search for missing mother Sherri Papini on hold.

Volunteer coordinator Sandra Oswald told KRCR the search was put on hold Monday. “[We are] just trying to regroup and take everything in over the last three days of our search and figure out what we want to do for the rest of the week. We are all pretty worn out, pretty tired but that doesn’t deter us,” said Oswald.

KRCR reports the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office also temporarily suspended their ground search. Lieutenant Anthony Bertain said, “Our resources would be better directed to managing tips, following up on the leads and the information we got from the search on Thursday.”

According to the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office, Sherri Papini was reported missing by her husband on Wednesday, November 2^nd.

Keith Pepini told deputies he came home from work and was not able to locate his wife and their two children. He found out the children were not picked up from their daycare as usual. He used an iPhone app to track and find Sherri’s phone near the intersection of Old Oregon Trail and Sunrise Drive north of Redding, California. She wasn’t at the location, so he called 911.

Deputies said the children were later picked up from daycare and are safe.

SCSO said Sherri normally jogs in the area where her phone was found. She was last seen on jogging or walking alone wearing a pink running jacked on Sunrise Drive around 2:00 p.m.

Deputies described Sherri as a 34-year-old Caucasian woman, approximately 5’4”, 100 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes. She is considered missing and at risk. Police said Sherri does not have any known medical or mental health issues.

The sheriff’s office said there is no evidence of kidnapping, but she is considered missing and at risk. Sherri’s earbuds and phone have been recovered. So far, law enforcement said there is no suspect or person of interest in the case.

If you see Sherri Papini or have any information that may help deputies, call 530-245-6540, or the Major Crimes Unit at 530-245-6135. Tips can also be submitted at [email protected].