In a shocking turn of events, a 26-year-old former prison guard from Louisiana has been apprehended in connection to the mysterious disappearance of a 12-year-old girl from Houston, Texas.
The young girl's vanishing act triggered an AMBER alert on Tuesday, causing a wave of concern across the community.
According to Newsweek, the girl's aunt revealed that the family discovered her absence around 4 a.m. on the day of her disappearance. The family was further alarmed when they found out that the girl had taken her mother's SUV without consent and had driven to a hotel in North Harris County. This behavior was described as "out of character" for the young girl.
The mother was able to trace her daughter's phone, which was found along with her jacket and keys inside the abandoned vehicle. The unfolding mystery took a sinister turn when the police, after reviewing security camera footage, spotted Ariel Anderson, the 26-year-old suspect, leaving the hotel with the girl.
The police, using the vehicle's license plate, tracked Anderson's journey from Houston to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The family disclosed to local news outlets that a money card belonging to the girl was used at a motel in the same area.
Anderson, according to police, returned the girl to Houston but then made his way back to Baton Rouge, where he was subsequently apprehended by local law enforcement. The Houston Police Department confirmed in a statement that the girl has been found and is now safely back with her family. They also stated that a male suspect had been detained for questioning and that they are collaborating with law enforcement in Louisiana on the case.
Anderson is now facing charges of contribution to the delinquency of a minor in Louisiana. WWLTV, a Louisiana CBS affiliate, reported on Wednesday that Anderson had been employed as a prison guard. A spokesperson for the Louisiana Department of Corrections informed the outlet that Anderson had "separated employment with Hunt Correctional" the previous day.
Local outlet WAFB reported that Anderson made various statements. He allegedly said that he initially drove back to Houston from Baton Rouge when he learned that he was being sought in connection to the girl's disappearance, but then returned to try and gain information from the hotel. However, he later retracted this statement.
Initially treated as a runaway case, the situation escalated to an AMBER Alert. The Houston Police noted that they located the girl within 24 hours of the report and worked with several agencies to ensure her safe return. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of community vigilance and swift law enforcement action in ensuring the safety of our children.
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