A 6-year-old child from Iowa who had been reported missing has been found safe in Maine.
The child was located Wednesday on Peaks Island, Iowa's Ames Police Department said in a release Thursday.
Police said the child's mother, Esther Bender, 41, of Ames, unlawfully removed the child from Iowa around Oct. 14, 2023, and was in violation of court order.
Bender was arrested on Peaks Island and charged with violation of custodial order, a serious misdemeanor in Iowa, according to the release.
"We want to thank the Story County Sheriff’s Office, Maine State Police, Portland (ME) Police Department and the FBI for their assistance in this continued investigation," Ames police said.
Officials ask that anyone who may have information about the incident call the Ames police at 515-239-5133 or the anonymous tip line 515-239-5533. People can also contact Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa at 515-223-1400, and online anonymous tips can be submitted here.