(UPDATE, FEBRUARY 18, 2026) Pyper has been found and is safe, and has been reunited with her family.
Court documents state that Damarcus Charles Thompkins, age 19, has been charged with felony custodial interference in connection with the case.
Thompkins reportedly claimed that the girl contacted him for a place to stay, and he rented an Uber and picked her up, and the two were staying at a Great Falls hotel. Court documents state that Thompkins admitted that he knew the girl was 15 years old.
Bail for Thompkins was set at $100,000.
According to the charging documents, Thompkins has a pending case for a charge of sexual intercourse without consent involving another minor, and was under a court order to not be within 1,500 feet of any minors.
(1st REPORT, FEBRUARY 11, 2026) The Great Falls Police Department on Wednesday posted a missing person alert for Pyper Journot.
The agency said that 15-year old Pyper was last seen on Friday, February 6, 2026, at her home along the 1200 block of Fifth Avenue NW.
Pyper’s family and Police Officer Ritton believe Pyper is a runaway, and they are concerned for her safety.
Pyper's mother posted on Friday: "She was picked up on the northwest side of town about 945 this morning. I do not know by who or what vehicle. She knows the person, I do not. I do not know what she was wearing."
According to the GFPD, she may be staying in Cascade County, outside the city limits of Great Falls.
Ritton also has reason to believe she may be trying to get to Vancouver, Washington.
Pyper is 5'8" tall, about 125 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes.
If you have any information about where Pyper may be, you're asked to call the non-emergency line at 406-455-8599 and give the dispatcher report number CFS 25-08075, or send a direct message to the GFPD Facebook page.
Tipsters may remain anonymous.
