An Amber Alert has been issued for a 4-year-old girl who was inside her mother’s car when it was stolen in Illinois.
According to the police, although the car has been found, the child has not yet been located.
The Rock Island Police Department announced in a press release on Thursday, Jan. 16 that the vehicle was stolen around 6:07 am from the 1300 block of 14th 1/2 ST. According to the police, the car was left running with a child in a carseat in the back.
The girl was eventually located at 6:24 a.m., but she was nowhere to be seen.
“At this time, the location of the child is unknown,” the release states.
Officials are dedicating all available resources to the search for the missing child. They are receiving assistance from surrounding agencies and conducting door-to-door canvassing. In addition, drones from RIPD, Rock Island County Sheriff’s Department, and Moline Police Department are being used in the search.
Blessing, the girl, is Black, measuring 3 feet in height and weighing 50 lbs.
During a press conference, a police spokesperson announced that an Amber Alert was issued at 6:42 am. Furthermore, it was revealed that no car seat was found when the vehicle was discovered.
According to the official, there were several incidents of vehicle thefts that occurred overnight.
When asked whether the theft was specifically planned to kidnap the child, the chief stated that while the police were not ruling anything out, it was likely “accidental” that Blessing was in the car at the time.
“We’re hoping that there are people, even anonymously, that can give us information about where that child was taken out of the car or where she’s right now,” he continued, before adding that police hope she’s safe in a house nearby.
According to the spokesperson, it is important not to blame the child’s mother for the incident as it occurred within a matter of seconds.
If you have any information, we encourage you to contact the police. You have the option to remain anonymous when doing so.