Missing Waushara County Girl Found Safe

Missing Waushara County Girl Found Safe

Apr 5, 2026, 1:51 AM CT

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WAUTOMA, Wis (WAUH)- An 8-year-old Waushara County girl who was the subject of an Amber Alert Saturday morning was found safe in Nebraska. Wautoma Police announced Irene Lentz was found about nine hours after the alert was issued.

According to Wautoma Police Chief Paul Mott, Irene’s mother Betty Lentz had taken her daughter to meet a registered sex offender, Joseph Nicpon, who was on supervised release. Nicpon had removed his GPS tracking bracelet in Adams County.

Nicpon was taken into custody. He was released from prison on March 31st where he was serving time on charges of Incest with a child and sexual assault. He was prohibited to have contact with Betty and Irene Lentz.

Wautoma Police and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office were assisted in the investigation by the FBI, U.S. Marshal’s Office, Wild Rose Police Department, Waushara County Dispatch, Waushara Child Protective Services, and the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office.  

Bob Nelson

Bob Nelson is News Director in Ripon, and the voice of newscasts on WRPN and WAUH. Email him at bob.nelson@civicmedia.us.

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