SACO, Maine — Public safety officials said early Friday morning a mother and her child who were reportedly abducted from Saco were found safe after an Amber Alert was issued shortly before 10 p.m. Thursday.
Maine Department of Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss said in an update just before 12:45 a.m. Friday that the three-year-old child and her 35-year-old mother have been located. They were not physically harmed, Saco police said in a news release Friday.
The child and her mother were forced into a white Ford Explorer with a New York registration by a male suspect at 11:30 a.m. on Elm Street in Saco, Moss said in a news release Thursday night. Saco Police Chief Jack Clements told NEWS CENTER Maine surveillance video appeared to show them being pushed into the vehicle, which immediately left the area.
Saco police began working with Biddeford police, Maine State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to located them. As the investigation widened, Massachusetts' Framingham Police Department and New York State Police provided assistance.
Moss said the Ford Explorer crossed the tolls into New York State at approximately 3:41 p.m. The vehicle was ultimately located in Peekskill, New York, Saco police said.
The three-year-old and her mother were reportedly residing in the Biddeford area.
Those with information are asked to contact the Saco Police Department at 207-284-4535.
Saco police said the investigation is active and ongoing and more information would be released.
Police departments must have all three of the following criteria present before an Amber Alert activation can occur:
- A child 17 or younger has been abducted
- A reason to believe the victim is in danger
- Information available to show the public that could assist in the safe recovery of the victim
