Initially, LE believed the wood cutters were the last persons to see Serenity.
For whatever reason, LE was not called to the scene until 12:30pm -- first deputy arrived about 12:45pm, and search and rescued did not mobilize until 1:15pm.
I believe the confusion occurred when LE attempted to verify the who/what/where that happened before they were notified about the missing child, and arrived on the scene.
By late Sunday, Feb 3, 2019 - Authorities put out their first request:
Investigators are looking to speak with a couple who may have been the last to see a missing 9-year-old Pennington County girl.
Authorities said a man and woman were cutting wood in the area of Foster Gulch and South Rockerville Road and spoke with Children’s Home staff on Sunday between 10:30 a.m and 11:30 a.m. [prior to 911 call to LE by Children's Home]
Deputies would like to speak with them to better determine a timeline on Serenity Dennard’s disappearance and her direction of travel.
They are described as being in their late 20s or early 30s and driving a pickup truck.
Serenity was last seen leaving the Black Hills Children’s Home on Sunday about 10:45 a.m.
On April 29, 2019 - Sheriff Thom acknowledged the confusion, and issued the following:
RAPID CITY S.D. — Over the past few months, there’s been a lot of confusion surrounding the disappearance of Serenity Dennard.
On Monday, investigators and search crews turned up new information to clear up misunderstandings. Pennington County Sheriff Kevin Thom said dog teams involved in the search for Serenity are picking up a human scent in Rockerville. But with winter weather in the immediate forecast, Thom said the odds are against them finding the nine-year-old until the weather improves.
Serenity walked away from the Children’s Home Society on Sunday, Feb. 3. The couple who was chopping wood who believed they saw her, actually saw a staff member from the Children’s Home who was out searching. They did not actually see Serenity.
Sheriff Thom says two people who don’t work for the Children’s Home saw Serenity while they were in the parking lot. As far as investigators know, they are the last people to have seen her. The people in the parking lot tell investigators that Serenity crossed the cattle guard and headed north on South Rockerville Road.
After telling staff she was missing, they left the facility.
“Those two witnesses drove back out onto South Rockerville road, and didn’t see Serenity,” Thom said. “In that three to five minute window, she was no longer on the road. Where she went from there is what we’re trying to ascertain.”
Rescue crews are focusing their efforts on the area around the Children’s Home, and Teepee Gulch Road. Thom says the search continues because of the progress made by the dogs.
Video of Sheriff statements at link below
New details emerge in search for Serenity Dennard - KNBN NewsCenter1