Supervisor Carmen Chu (left) embraces Sunset District resident Theresa Shanley as Chu presents Shanley with a commendation. Photo: Courtesy Supervisor Carmen Chu

Sunset District native Theresa Shanley received a commendation recently at City Hall for her role in finding and recovering a 12-year-old girl whom officials say was kidnapped from Virginia.

On Friday, Dec. 10, Shanley noticed the girl with a man outside the La Playa Street Safeway store near Ocean Beach. Shanley sensed that something about the girl’s situation was wrong, and she thought about a news report she had seen about a girl kidnapped from Virginia.

Shanley went inside the store and called the police. Officers from Richmond Station identified the girl as well as her alleged kidnapper, who was arrested.

From the announcement issued by Chu’s office:

Supervisor Carmen Chu commended Ms. Shanley for her role in the safe return of Brittany Smith.  “It took just a minute for Theresa to notice this child and call the authorities,” said Supervisor Chu, “Because of her actions, this story has had a positive conclusion.”

Theresa Shanley strongly encouraged citizens to get involved.  “Children go missing every day,” she said, “If you notice something and it doesn’t seem right, call the police.”