AMBER Alert Success Stories

May 26, 2005
Charleston, Illinois
A 2-year-old girl was abducted by her non-custodial mother from a day care center. Because law enforcement believed that the woman was a danger to the child, an AMBER Alert was issued. A citizen heard the Alert and soon spotted the vehicle in a shopping center parking lot. The citizen alerted authorities, the suspect was apprehended, and the child was safely recovered.


May 25, 2005
West Haven, Connecticut
A 5-year-old girl was taken by her non-custodial mother as she stepped off the school bus ready to walk into her school. Authorities were alerted, and because the woman has abused and neglected the child in the past, an AMBER Alert was issued. Many sightings were called in leading authorities to I-95. The suspect and child were soon found broken down along the highway. The suspect was arrested and the child was safely reunited with her father.

May 24, 2005
Jonesboro, Arkansas
A 2-year-old girl and her mother were abducted at knifepoint by the child’s non-custodial father. The suspect stabbed the child’s mother, dropped her off along the highway, and took off with the child. An AMBER Alert was quickly issued. After hearing the AMBER Alert, the suspect dropped the child off with relatives. The relatives, who had also heard the AMBER Alert, immediately returned the child to authorities. The child was safely recovered.


May 16, 2005
Denver, Colorado
A 4-year-old girl and her 7-year-old cousin were playing near their house when a man drove up, grabbed the young girl and put her into his car, and then drove off. The cousin alerted the family, who notified authorities. An AMBER Alert was quickly issued. A few hours later the suspect dropped the child off and she wandered into a convenience store. The store clerk immediately recognized her from the AMBER Alert and called law enforcement. The child was safely reunited with her family.

May 7, 2005
Taylorsville, Utah
A 5-year-old girl went to run errands with her mother’s fiancé. When the two did not return when they were supposed to, the child’s mother became worried because of her fiancé’s drug addiction. She called authorities and an AMBER Alert was issued. A citizen heard the AMBER Alert on the radio and saw the suspect’s vehicle in a store parking lot. Police arrived at the scene and safely recovered the child.

April 30, 2005
Robeson County, North Carolina
A 4-year-old girl was taken from her grandmother's home by a relative. Because law enforcement believed the child could be in danger, an AMBER Alert was issued. Hours after the child was taken, the suspect stopped at a convenience store for something to eat, and the clerk recognized the the suspect from the Alert. Authorities were quickly at the scene to arrest the suspect, and the child was safely recovered.

April 11, 2005
Irvington, New Jersey
A 4-month-old child and her mother were abducted at gun point by the child’s biological father. The man shot the child’s grandfather and forced the child and woman into her car and sped off. An AMBER Alert was immediately issued. A toll-booth worker heard the AMBER Alert, saw the vehicle drive through the toll, and quickly notified authorities. After a high-speed pursuit, and a three-hour hostage situation, the child and woman were safely set free. A few hours later, the suspect surrendered.

April 4, 2005
Conley, Georgia
A 2-year-old girl was abducted by her father following a domestic dispute with the child’s mother. Because the man is reportedly a heavy drug user and is known to frequent drug house, an AMBER Alert was issued. An alert motorist recognized the vehicle from the AMBER Alert and notified authorities. The suspect was quickly arrested and the child was safely recovered.

March 26, 2005
Greenville, South Carolina
A 1-year-old child was abducted by her father after the man assaulted the child’s mother. An AMBER Alert was quickly issued. The man saw the AMBER Alert on electronic highway signs and called authorities from his mobile phone demanding that they cancel the Alert. Authorities were able to track the location of the suspect through his mobile phone and notify the highway patrol of his location. The suspect was apprehended and the child was safely recovered.

March 14, 2005
Oneonta, Alabama
A 14-year-old girl was believed to have been taken against her will by a man she had been corresponding with on the Internet. An AMBER Alert was issued. The suspect’s boss saw the AMBER Alert and immediately notified authorities of the man’s whereabouts. The suspect lead police to where he was keeping the child. The suspect was arrested and the child was safely recovered.

March 2, 2005
Stockton, California
A 12-year-old girl was abducted by a man who had previously sexually assaulted her and threatened the lives of her family if she or they notified authorities. An AMBER Alert was quickly issued. A citizen came upon the suspect and victim and believed they were homeless. She took the two to her house to feed them. When she saw the AMBER Alert on TV the woman asked the child if she was the girl from the Alert. The child said yes, and the woman notified authorities. The suspect was apprehended and the child was safely recovered.

March 2, 2005
Sacramento, California
A 3-year-old girl was abducted by her babysitter after the man dropped the child’s mother off at night school. When the child’s mother returned home to find her child, babysitter and vehicle missing, she notified authorities. Because the babysitter has a history of drug abuse, an AMBER Alert was issued. The suspect saw the AMBER Alert on TV and called authorities to turn himself him. The suspect was arrested and the child was safely returned to her mother.

February 22, 2005
Rio Rancho, New Mexico
A 5-month-old girl was left with her babysitter while her mother went to class. When her mother returned to pick her up, the babysitter’s boyfriend said that she had taken the child to the bank with her hours ago. After the woman had been gone for over six hours with the child, authorities were notified. Because police believe the child may be in danger, an AMBER Alert was issued. A few hours later a motel manager saw the AMBER Alert and recognized the woman and child as guests who had checked in the evening. Law enforcement was quickly at the scene, the suspect was apprehended, and the child was safely recovered.

February 2005
Allen County, Indiana
Law enforcement went to check on a 10-year-old boy and his mother after a doctor reported to authorities that his mother had made threats to murder her son and that she should be committed. When the two were not located at home and because the child was feared to be in danger, an AMBER Alert was issued. The woman heard the AMBER Alert and turned herself and the child into the authorities. The child was safely recovered.

February 13, 2005
Montague, Michigan
A 6-year old girl was visiting with her non-custodial father, but he failed to return the child at the arranged time. When law enforcement found out that the man has mental issues, may not have taken his medication, and is known to have delusional episodes, an AMBER Alert was issued. A citizen heard the AMBER Alert on a local radio station, recognized the vehicle on the highway, and contacted authorities. Police were quickly at the scene, the suspect was arrested, and the child was safely recovered.

February 12, 2005
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
A 1-year-old boy and his 17-month-old brother were left in a vehicle while their mother went into a residence, at which time the vehicle was stolen. An AMBER Alert was quickly issued. A man working in the area of the abduction heard the Alert and actively began to search for the vehicle. He soon came across the abandoned vehicle and found the two boys still inside. The children were safely recovered.

February 2, 2005
Allen County, Indiana
Law enforcement went to check on a 10-year-old boy and his mother after a doctor reported to authorities that his mother had made threats to murder her son and that she should be committed. When the two were not located at home and because the child was feared to be in danger, an AMBER Alert was issued. The woman heard the AMBER Alert and turned herself and the child into the authorities. The child was safely recovered.

Success Story
Stafford, Virginia
A 10-year-old girl was abducted by her uncle from Baltimore, Maryland. When authorities learned that the suspect might have been traveling in Northern Virginia, an AMBER Alert was issued in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia. Three motorists soon spotted the vehicle described in the AMBER Alert and notified authorities. The suspect was apprehended and the child was safely recovered.

November 28, 2004
Somerset, Kentucky
A 12-year-old girl was abducted from her school by a family acquaintance. An AMBER Alert was issued when it was learned that the man might have an inappropriate relationship with the child. Law enforcement received a tip from the AMBER Alert, and the vehicle was located. After a brief period of negotiation, he suspect was apprehended and the child was safely recovered.

December 29, 2004
O'Fallon, Illinois
A 10-year-old boy was abducted by his non-custodial father, who had driven to Illinois from Pennsylvania in a stolen vehicle. The incident was reported to authorities, and because the child could have possibly been in danger, an AMBER Alert was issued. A motorist saw the vehicle on the highway, recognized it from the AMBER Alert, and reported its location to authorities. The suspect was quickly apprehended and the child was safely recovered.

December 26, 2004
Joliet, Illinois
A 5-year-old boy was abducted by his non-custodial father after the man assaulted the child's mother with a handgun and threatened the life of the child. An AMBER Alert was quickly issued. The suspect then left the child with a relative and called authorities to tell them to cancel the AMBER Alert. The child was safely recovered with the relative.

December 26, 2004
Denver, Colorado
While on Christmas visitation with their father, two young girls were not returned to their mother at the time arranged. Before the children's mother reported her concerns to authorities, law enforcement was following-up on a disturbance call from a hotel. It was quickly learned that the suspect had rented the hotel room, and the children had stayed the night there. Because of the magnitude of damage to the hotel room and the suspect's history of domestic violence, an AMBER Alert was issued. The next morning, a restaurant patron saw the vehicle from the AMBER Alert in the restaurant parking lot and notified authorities. Police were quickly at the scene, apprehended the suspect after a brief chase on foot, and safely recovered the children.

December 21, 2004
Willimantic, Connecticut
Three siblings, ages 3, 4, and 5, were abducted by their non-custodial father from the Department of Children and Families during a supervised visit. Because of the man's history of depression and allegations of abuse, an AMBER Alert was issued. The suspect took the children to the residence of acquaintances, who had seen the AMBER Alert on TV before the suspect and children arrived. The couple suggested that the man turn himself in and return the children. However, when the suspect refused, the couple called authorities and let them know the suspect and children were in their house. Police were quickly at the scene, apprehended the suspect, and safely recovered the three children.

November 24, 2004
Jefferson County, Florida
A vehicle occupied by a 6-month-old boy was stolen from Jefferson County, Florida. An AMBER Alert was requested by the local law enforcement of jurisdiction. The Amber alert a law enforcement officer in finding the stolen vehicle in a housing project with the child still inside. The child was safely recovered.

November 23, 2004
Polk County, Florida
Three children ranging in ages 1 to 4 years old were taken by their father from daycare he allegedly murdered their mother. An AMBER Alert was issued after the man's mother notified authorizes of the possible murder and abduction. A citizen traveling behind the suspect vehicle called 911 after hearing the Amber alert on the radio. The children were safely recovered.

November 22, 2004
Clover Bottom, Kentucky
A 6-year-old girl was abducted at gunpoint by her father after a serious domestic altercation between the suspect and the child's mother. Because of the violent nature of the abduction and the suspect's suicidal tenancies, an AMBER Alert was quickly issued. Law enforcement received a lead from the AMBER Alert and located the suspect and child in Dayton, Tennessee. The suspect was apprehended and the child was safely recovered.

November 5, 2004
Wichita, Kansas
A 3-year-old boy was left in the care of his grandmother's boyfriend. When the man neglected to return the child at the agreed time, the child's family notified authorities. Because the man has a criminal history of domestic violence and attempted suicide, an AMBER Alert was issued. A citizen spotted the vehicle, recognized it from the AMBER Alert, and quickly called 911. The suspect was apprehended and the child was safely reunited with his family.

November 5, 2004
Alton, Illinois
A 14-year-old girl was abducted by her 22-year-old boyfriend while standing at a bus stop. Because the suspect is considered to be obsessed with the child and is wanted by authorities for shooting at the child's father, an AMBER Alert was issued. Once the suspect heard the AMBER Alert, he feared the consequences of kidnapping and allowed the child to go free. The child was safely recovered.

October 25, 2004
Rialto, California
Three children were abducted from their foster home by their non-custodial mother. Because of the woman's criminal history of drug abuse and child endangerment, an AMBER Alert was issued. A motorist spotted the vehicle at a car wash, recognized it from the AMBER Alert, and immediately notified authorities. Police were quickly at the scene and apprehended the mother. She then led authorities to her boyfriend's home, where the children were safely recovered.

October 18, 2004
Louisville, Kentucky
While attempting to serve an arrest warrant to a man for indecencies with a child, law enforcement entered the man's home to find him missing and his 5-year-old daughter dead. Fearing for the lives of the man's two other young daughters, an AMBER Alert was issued. A motorist traveling through Kentucky on her way to Michigan noticed the AMBER Alert message on several electronic highway signs. While in Ohio, she spotted the vehicle and dialed 9-1-1. Local authorities were quickly at the scene, and after a brief high-speed chase, the suspect was apprehended and the two girls were safely recovered.

October 15, 2004
Columbus, Ohio
A 10-month-old child was taken at gunpoint by this mother's ex-boyfriend following an argument over money. Because the man threatened the child's life, an AMBER Alert was quickly issued. The suspect left the child with an acquaintance, who saw the Alert immediately turned the child over to authorities. The child was safely recovered.

October 14, 2004
Sweet Home, Oregon
An 11-year-old boy was taken by his mother's boyfriend. Because the man was known to be armed, an AMBER Alert was issued. That afternoon a young boy hunting with friends noticed a man and boy about his age sitting in a truck in the area. When the boy returned home he heard the AMBER Alert and immediately recognized the people he had seen as the subjects in the Alert. Authorities were notified and directed to their location. The child was safely reunited with his mother.

October 7, 2004
Salt Lake County, Utah
A 3-year-old boy was abducted by his father following a domestic dispute with the child's mother. Because the man threatened to harm himself and the child, and he has a history of suicide attempts, an AMBER Alert was issued. A few motorists recognized the suspect's car from the AMBER Alert and contacted authorities. Minutes later, law enforcement responded to the location and apprehend the suspect. The child was safely recovered.

October 3, 2004
Oxford, Wisconsin
A 16-year-old girl was abducted from a friend's car at gunpoint by a 42-year-old registered sex offender. An AMBER Alert was immediately issued. A citizen recognized the suspect and child after seeing the AMBER Alert and quickly notified authorities. Law enforcement began to pursue the vehicle, at which point the child threw herself from the moving vehicle. Authorities then followed the suspect to a parking lot where the man took his own life. The child was safely recovered.

September 22, 2004
Wakulla County, Florida
A 12-year-old child was lured from her home by a registered sex offender. An AMBER Alert was activated in Florida. Georgia's Levi's Call was activated when it was determined they may be in Georgia. A tip was received by the FBI indicating that the child and suspect seen on television may be in a local hotel in Douglas County, GA. Subsequently, the child and suspect were located in the area of the hotel. The suspect was arrested and the child was returned to her family.

September 18, 2004
Westchester, New York
A man murdered his estranged wife and wounded his sister-in-law before fleeing with his three children, ages 11, 9, and 7. An AMBER Alert was immediately issued. The next day the man dropped the children off with a relative. While the vehicle was in front of the relative's house, a neighbor recognized it from the AMBER Alert. The neighbor immediately notified authorities. Police were quickly at the scene and safely recovered the three children.

September 15, 2003
Topeka, Kansas
A 5-year-old girl was taken by her father after he murdered the child's mother. An AMBER Alert was immediately issued. Because the suspect was believed to be heading northwest, Kansas authorities requested that Nebraska activate its AMBER Alert program. A truck driver in Nebraska heard the Alert, spotted the vehicle, and notified authorities. Just across the border in southeast Wyoming, police caught up with the vehicle and safely recovered the child.

September 14, 2004
Littleton, Colorado
A four-month-old girl was left with her babysitter, who failed to return the child to her mother. Because of the suspect's serious criminal history, an AMBER Alert was issued. The suspect left the child with a friend, who saw the AMBER Alert on television. When the friend realized the subject of the AMBER Alert was the child left with her, she immediately notified authorities. The child was safely reunited with her mother.

September 1, 2004
Normal, Illinois
A 1-year-old child was abducted from a Boy's and Girl's Club by her non-custodial parents. Because authorities believed the child was in danger, an AMBER Alert was issued. Several sightings of the vehicle were reported. One motorist who heard the Alert spotted the vehicle near a park and notified authorities. Police quickly arrived at the scene, apprehended the suspects, and safely recovered the child.

August 17, 2004
East Moline, Illinois
A 23-month-old child was abducted from his front yard by his father after the man and child's mother had an argument on the phone. Because of the man's history of violence and threats, an AMBER Alert was issued. The child was left with the man's sister before he fled. When the child's aunt saw the AMBER Alert, she immediately drove the child to the police station. The child was safely reunited with his mother.

August 20, 2004
Phoenix, Arizona
A 4-year-old boy and his 6-week-old brother were in the back seat of a vehicle when it was stolen from the children's mother. An AMBER Alert was immediately issued. A citizen wrote down the vehicle information when he heard the AMBER Alert on the radio. Shortly after the Alert was issued, the citizen spotted the vehicle and contacted authorities. Police were quickly at the scene and the children were safely recovered.

August 13, 2004
Cumming, GA
A 3-year-old boy was left with a part-time babysitter for the day. The child's father and babysitter arranged a meeting point to return the child that evening. When the babysitter did not arrive, the child's father contacted authorities. Based on investigation, law enforcement believed the child could be in danger, and an AMBER Alert was issued. After midnight, a motorist recognized the vehicle from the AMBER Alert and contacted authorities. The suspect was apprehended and the child was safely reunited with his family.

August 9, 2004
Malden, Massachusetts
A child 19 days old was snatched from his mother's arms by his non-custodial father as she was walked to court to file a restraining order against him. Because of the nature of the abduction and the suspect was believed to be armed, an AMBER Alert was immediately issued. A few hours later, two separate citizens spotted the suspect's vehicle outside a restaurant. Police were quickly at the scene and apprehended the suspect. The infant was safely reunited with his mother.

August 9, 2004
Antioch, California
A 3-year-old girl was abducted by her non-custodial mother. Because the mother was believed to be unstable, an AMBER Alert was issued. A citizen on his way to work noticed the vehicle in the AMBER Alert description was in front of him and immediately notified authorities. When police arrived at the scene, the suspect led authorities on a four-hour chase. When the suspect finally surrendered, she was apprehended and the child was safely recovered.

August 8, 2004
Chester County, Pennsylvania
The father of a 4-year-old boy arrived at the child's house and abducted the child while he was in the custody of a babysitter. The offender had a Protection from Abuse Order filed against him for assaulting the child and the child's mother. Additionally, it was believed that the offender would attempt to flee the county with the child. An AMBER Alert was issued and almost immediately 911 centers began receiving tips from motorists who had spotted the vehicle of the offender. The child was subsequently recovered unharmed and the offender was taken into custody without incident.

July 30, 2004
Everett, Massachusetts
Two teen girls were abducted from a residence by a man with a violent history. The suspect contacted one of the children's family members and demanded a ransom. Minutes after an AMBER Alert was issued, a motorist spotted the vehicle and notified authorities. Police were immediately at the scene, and, following a brief chase, the children were safely recovered. The suspect fled on foot but was captured shortly thereafter.

July 26, 2004
Columbus, Ohio
Four children, ages 10, 6, 4, and 2, were taken from Miamisburg, Ohio, by their step-grandfather. He had told the children's parents they were going to the local park. When they did not return at the prearranged time, authorities were notified. An AMBER Alert was issued when it was discovered that the suspect was a convicted child molester and could possibly harm the children. A motorist saw a sign posting the AMBER Alert information and noticed that the vehicle in front of him was the car being sought by police. The driver called 911 and the police soon caught up with the vehicle. The suspect was apprehended and the children were safely recovered.

July 24, 2004
Knoxville, Tennessee
A woman left her 1-year-old daughter and her car with a friend while she went to work. When the woman returned to pick the child up at the agreed time, the babysitter, child and vehicle were nowhere to be found. An AMBER Alert was issued. A teen-age boy and his parents saw the Alert on television as they were leaving their house. The boy noticed the vehicle sitting in front of a local bar as they drove by. The authorities were notified and the suspect apprehended. The child was safely recovered.

June 30, 2004
Portage, Wisconsin
A 3-year-old was taken from his home in the middle of the night by a family acquaintance. When the child's parents noticed the child and suspect were missing, they notified authorities and an AMBER Alert was issued. Early the next morning a woman on her way to work spotted the suspect and child walking along the road not far from a vehicle in a ditch. When she arrived at work she became aware of the AMBER Alert and quickly called law enforcement. Authorities arrived at the scene, searched the area around the vehicle, and were able to find the suspect and child. The suspect was apprehended and the child was safely recovered.

June 24, 2004
West Deer, Pennsylvania
A man abducted his 10-year-old daughter after he allegedly murdered his estranged wife. An AMBER Alert was quickly issued. A motorist on the highway recognized the vehicle in front of him after hearing the AMBER Alert on the radio. He immediately called the police. The suspect was apprehended and the child was safely recovered.

June 21, 2004
Houston, Texas
A 2-year-old girl was abducted by her mother's boyfriend after a violent domestic dispute in which the child's mother and sibling were shot. An AMBER Alert was immediately issued. The suspect dropped the child off at a friend's house. The suspect's friend saw the AMBER Alert on television and immediately notified authorities. The child was safely recovered.

April 23, 2004
Orange County, California
A 3-year-old girl was abducted by her father, who had threatened to kill himself and the child. The child's mother reported the incident to authorities and an AMBER Alert was issued. About 90 minutes later an off-duty firefighter recognized the man's car after seeing its description and license number on an electronic highway sign. The suspect was apprehended and the child was safely recovered and reunited with her mother.

March 15, 2004
Robertson County, Tennessee
A 14-year-old girl and her 9-year-old brother were taken from their mother's house by an 18-year-old man. Because the man has a history of mental instability, an AMBER Alert was issued. A woman who had seen the Alert on television called police after seeing the truck outside her home. The suspect was apprehended and the children were safely recovered.

March 12, 2004
Richmond, Kentucky
A 7-year-old boy was allegedly abducted at knifepoint by his mother. Because the child was believed to be in danger, an AMBER Alert was issued. Less than an hour later, a local motel clerk contacted authorities to report that the woman and her son had just checked in. He had recognized their faces and names from the AMBER Alert. The child was recovered safely.

February 14, 2004
McAllen, Texas
A 12-year-old girl was reported missing from New Albany, Indiana, with a 25-year-old suspect. Through investigation it was discovered that the two were headed to Mexico and that the child was probably being held against her will. When authorities believed the two to be in Texas, the Texas AMBER Alert system was activated. A citizen in Reynosa, Mexico, heard the alert, spotted the two walking down the street, and contacted police. The suspect was apprehended and the child was safely recovered.

February 11, 2004
Cole Camp, Missouri
A 1-month-old infant was abducted from his home by a woman who had posed as a nurse while the infant and his mother were in the hospital. The infant's 4-year-old older brother was witness to the abduction while their mother was out of the room. After police received a description of the suspect from the child, an AMBER Alert was issued. An acquaintance of the suspect heard the Alert and became suspicious when the suspect came home that day with an infant she claimed was hers. She notified authorities, who were quickly at the scene to identify the infant. The suspect was apprehended and the baby was safely returned to his family.

February 6, 2004
Washington State
A 15-year-old girl was abducted from Paso Robles, California. The suspect contacted the victim's family and told them he was headed north. An AMBER Alert was issued throughout the state of Washington after a call was traced there. A citizen observed the truck and suspect in the Bow Hill rest stop and notified authorities. Washington State troopers quickly responded. The suspect was apprehended and the child was safely recovered.

January 30, 2004
Bellevue, Nebraska
A 17-year-old girl was abducted at knifepoint by her ex-boyfriend. When the child's brother attempted to protect her, the abductor threatened their lives. The incident was reported and an AMBER Alert was issued. A citizen recognized the vehicle from the AMBER Alert and reported its location to authorities. Police were quickly at the scene. After a high-speed pursuit, the suspect was apprehended and the child safely reunited with her family.

January 21, 2004
Sandy, UT
A woman put her 6-week-old girl in her car and ran into her office for one minute to retrieve something. When she returned, her car and child were gone. An AMBER Alert was immediately issued. A citizen saw the Alert on television and actively began searching for the child. He found the vehicle within an hour of the Alert activation. The child was sleeping safely inside.

January 8, 2003
Calhoun, Georgia
A man allegedly murdered three former in-laws and his own 10-month-old daughter and then abducted his two daughters, ages 3 and 4, and his stepdaughter, 10. He contacted his ex-wife, told her about the killings, and threatened the lives of the girls. An AMBER Alert was immediately issued. A motorist recognized the vehicle from the Alert and contacted police. Authorities were quickly at the scene, apprehended the suspect, and safely recovered the three children.

January 7, 2004
Trotwood, Ohio
A 14-year old girl was abducted by her non-custodial father after he was mistakenly released from prison. Because the child was believed to be in danger, an AMBER Alert was issued. A local motel clerk saw the Alert and reported that the suspect and child attempted to rent a room there. Police quickly patrolled the area and located the suspected vehicle. The child was safely recovered.

December 21, 2003
Broken Bow, Oklahoma
A person left a vehicle running in the driveway with a 6-month-old child inside. When the car was stolen with the infant still inside, police were immediately notified and an AMBER Alert was issued. Later, a local citizen was talking to a relative on the phone and mentioned to her that a strange vehicle was parked next door and was running. The relative had heard the alert and asked what the car looked like. The car matched the description so the citizen called the police. The child was safely recovered.

October 16, 2003
Donora Borough, Pennsylvania
While at a gas station, a woman left her 7-month-old child in the car and went inside to pay. She notified authorities when a male stole the vehicle with the child inside. An AMBER Alert was immediately issued. The mother then told police that it was the child's father that took the child and vehicle. The AMBER Alert resulted in several tips that led to the location of the child and father. The child was safely recovered.

December 1, 2003
Grants Pass, Oregon
A man loaded his 2-year-old daughter into their car then went back into the house. When he came out the truck and his daughter were gone. The man contacted authorities and an AMBER Alert was issued. An hour later, a woman spotted the truck and used her mobile phone to dial 911. Police were quickly at the scene and the child was safely recovered.

November 24, 2003
Los Angeles, California
A 4-year old Hoffman Estates, Illinois, boy was abducted by his biological parents from his custodial grandmother. Because the parents had a history of child abuse, an AMBER Alert was issued. Sightings of the couple and child were reported over the next few days. A week after the abduction, authorities had reason to believe the suspects and child were in California. The California Highway Patrol issued a statewide AMBER Alert. The mother heard the Alert in California and turned herself in. The child was safely recovered.

November 17, 2003
Dayton, Ohio
A man took his 4-year-old son and a friend's 5-year-old son to get haircuts. When they did not return home before Midnight and calls to the suspect's mobile phone were repeatedly unanswered, the 5-year-old's mother notified authorities. After it was learned that the children might be in danger, an AMBER Alert was issued. A school bus driver spotted the vehicle in question the next afternoon and notified police. The suspect was apprehended and the children were safely recovered.

November 12, 2003
Peoria, Illinois
A 13-year-old girl was abducted by her 35-year-old uncle in the early morning. After her parents reported the abduction, police believed the circumstances warranted an AMBER Alert. Indiana also issued an AMBER Alert because it was thought that the suspect might travel to Lafayette, IN. That afternoon Lafayette police began receiving calls from citizens reporting sightings of the vehicle described in the AMBER Alert. One cell phone caller notified police that the vehicle was parked at a county courthouse. Authorities were quickly at the scene, apprehended the suspect, and safely recovered the child.

October 9, 2003
Chicago, Illinois
A 3-year-old child was abducted by a young woman after the child’s mother had allowed her to use their phone. When the girl’s mother stepped away, the woman took the child intending to keep her. The child’s mother reported the abduction to police and an AMBER Alert was immediately issued. A citizen spotted the child and abductor, recognized them from the AMBER Alert, and used her cell phone to call 911. Police arrived at the scene, rescued the child, and took the abductor into custody. The child was safely returned to her mother.

October 4, 2003
Christiansburg, Virginia
A 6-year-old girl disappeared after getting into a car with her step-mother. Police issued an AMBER Alert after learning that the girl's father, the step-mother's estranged husband, didn't know she had taken his daughter and an investigation showed reason for concern. A friend of the abductor heard the AMBER Alert and convinced her to turn herself in. The woman took the child to the police station, and she was safely reunited with her father.

October 1, 2003
Hanover Park, Illinois
A woman left her 3-year-old son in the care of the child’s babysitter. When the babysitter and child did not come home that evening, authorities were notified. Because law enforcement believed that the two were missing under suspicious circumstances, an AMBER Alert was activated for the boy. After hearing the AMBER Alert, a police officer spotted and stopped the car. The child was safely returned to his mother.

September 28, 2003
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
When a 14-year-old girl did not return home after a late-night movie with her boyfriend, her family notified authorities. She had left her boyfriend’s house to take a taxi home, but hadn't been seen since. An AMBER Alert was activated for the teen. A friend of the girl, after seeing the AMBER Alert, spotted her in a neighborhood park the following day and contacted authorities. The child was safely returned to her family.

September 28, 2003
Lafayette, Colorado
When a woman reported to local authorities that her ex-boyfriend had severly beaten her and abducted their 14-month-old boy, an AMBER Alert was immediately issued. The man heard the AMBER Alert on his radio and, fearing his vehicle would be spotted, dropped off the child at his uncle's house the next morning. The abductor's uncle immediately notified the child's mother, and the two were safely reunited.

August 29, 2003
Demotte, Indiana
A 2-year-old boy was kidnapped by his non-custodial mother from his grandparents’ house. Because of the mother’s drug use, an AMBER Alert was issued. The woman heard the Alert on her radio and saw it on road signs. Fearing there was no escape, she called authorities to turn herself in. She was arrested and the child was returned to his custodial grandparents.

August 7, 2003
Dudley, Massachusetts
A man had an argument with his estranged wife when she came to his house to pick up their three children -- ages 9, 7, and 5 -- for a visit. He notified authorities when she failed to return their children as scheduled that evening. After the woman called her estranged husband later that night threatening to harm herself and the children, an AMBER Alert was issued. Just over an hour later, a friend of the mother heard the Alert. She knew where the woman and children were hiding, and convinced the mother to turn the children over to her. The friend then met with authorities, and the children were safely returned to their father.

July 31, 2003
Louisville, Kentucky
A 16-year-old girl was abducted from a hotel room when three gun-toting men attempted to rob her and the other guests staying in the room. The suspects brought the child to an apartment where they saw an AMBER Alert had been issued for the girl. Nervous because the victim’s picture was on television, the suspects released the girl. She ran to the nearest home and requested to use the telephone. The homeowner, recognizing her from the AMBER Alert, took her in and called authorities. The girl was safely reunited with her family.

July 26, 2003
Ridley Park, Pennsylvania
A man abducted his 5-year-old son from his estranged wife and threatened to kill the child and himself. The man had weapons in his possession so an AMBER Alert was issued. After hearing the Alert, the father turned himself in. The man was taken into police custody and the child was safely reunited with his mother.

July 22, 2003
Dickinson, Texas
A 5-year-old child went on a fishing trip with family friend at 8 a.m. When the two did not return home that evening as arranged, the child’s family called the police and a request to locate the suspect's truck went out to regional law enforcement. Early the next morning, when police discovered the suspect had a history of substance abuse, and he allegedly went to meet with an unidentified person for money, an AMBER Alert was issued. The suspect's uncle saw the Alert on television and began to drive to locations that the suspect has been known to hang out at. When the uncle located the suspect's car, he notified authorities and the suspect was apprehended. The child was safely recovered and reunited with his family.

July 18, 2003
Dixon, Missouri
A 26-year-old mother and her children left Alabama to seek refuge from the abusive father of her children. On July 14, 2003, the man located the woman and children at a relatives home in Missouri, fired a gun into her vehicle, and abducted their three children - 5, 3, and 1 years old. A statewide AMBER Alert was issued in Missouri and Illinois. The states of Ohio and Alabama were also advised to be on the lookout for the suspect. Because of the AMBER Alert, the case received a large quantity of media coverage, and on July 18 in Gardendale, Alabama, the suspect turned himself in. The three children were safely recovered and returned to their mother.

July 14, 2003
Colorado Springs, Colorado
A young mother and her 8-month-old son left their house with the child’s father. An hour later, the mother made a frantic phone call to her sister pleading for help. The call was disconnected and the mother's sister notified authorities. An AMBER
Alert was immediately issued for the child, broadcasting information about the father’s vehicle. A motorist spotted the vehicle and called police that evening. The three were safely located.

June 3, 2003
Denver, Colorado
A young mother met a woman who called herself “Rosa” in a hospital shortly after she gave birth to her son. The woman explained that she was a church employee and helped young mothers with baby supplies and services. Two weeks later, "Rosa" took the lady and her son to get the help she had offered. They walked to a park, where the child was put into “Rosa’s" mini van. "Rosa" then asked the lady to run into a nearby store to buy sodas. When she returned, "Rosa," the van and her son were gone. The lady notified authorities and a statewide AMBER Alert was issued. Authorities received more than 500 tips on the kidnapping. One of those tips was from the suspects daughter. She told authorities that her mom had brought the boy over earlier and asked her to babysit. Once she recognized the child from the AMBER Alert, she called the police. The child was safely recovered and returned to his parents unharmed.

May 30, 2003
Covington, Georgia
A woman contacted authorities when her boyfriend failed to return home with her 16-month-old son after picking him up from a day care center. When authorities learned that the man had a history of drug abuse, they issued a Levi’s Call – Georgia’s AMBER Alert. A man in the area heard the alert on the radio and relayed the information to his wife before she left home. When the woman drove out of her neighborhood, she spotted the vehicle and called police. Police were immediately at the scene and the suspect was apprehended. The child was safely returned to his mother.

May 20, 2003
Lake Station, Indiana
A 15-year-old girl and her friend got into a man’s car when he offered them money to help him find an address. He later forced the girl's friend out of the car, but kept the 15-year-old with him. An AMBER Alert was quickly issued. Early the next morning, a police officer pulled over a speeding car, also noticing that it fit the description in the AMBER Alert. The officer confirmed that the girl in the car was child in the AMBER Alert, and the suspect was arrested. The girl was safely returned to her family.

May 7, 2003
Thanks to the cooperative efforts of authorities in Minnesota and Utah, a 11-year-old girl was safely recovered. An 11-year-old girl from St. Cloud, MN, was reported missing by her mother when she awoke to find her daughter gone, along with a 21-year-old man who had been staying with the family in search of work. Because of her age and the time and nature of her disappearance, the girl was believed to be in danger, and an AMBER Alert was issued. When authorities learned that the suspect had ties in Utah, an AMBER Alert was activated in Utah as well. A Utah Highway Patrol trooper heard the alert and began using his laptop to calculate the drive time from St. Cloud, Minn., to Utah when he saw a car matching the description in the AMBER Alert drive by. The trooper pulled the car over, arrested the suspect, and the child was safely returned to her family.

May 3, 2003
Madison Heights, Michigan
A 3-year-old girl and her grandmother were shopping in a toy store when a stranger approached them. He explained that he was working in the parking lot, noticed the tire on their car was flat, and offered to help. The girl's grandmother allowed the polite man to changed her tire. When the man was finished, the girl was put in her car seat. The man offered to make sure everything was fine and started the car. Then, he drove away with the child in the back seat. Police were immediately notified and the Michigan State Police activated the AMBER Alert system. Television and radio stations began broadcasting bulletins about the abduction. Electronic signs on the highway also posted the information. After the alert went out, an anonymous 9-1-1 caller reported seeing the vehicle described in the AMBER Alert. The car was found and the girl was still in the back seat. She was safely returned to her family.

April 19, 2003
San Bernardino, California
When a San Bernardino man refused to give his two friends a ride to the local casino, they stole his vehicle well aware that his 13-month-old son was inside. The abduction was reported and because the suspects were known to be drug users, an AMBER Alert was issued. A local law-enforcement agent heard the alert and spotted the vehicle in a hotel parking lot with the suspects and child inside. The suspects were apprehended and the child was recovered unharmed.

April 2003
Salem, Oregon
As a 22-year-old mother was putting her 10-month-old son into his car seat, a man pushed her to the ground, jumped into the car, and drove away. Authorities were immediately notified and an AMBER Alert was issued. About two hours later a citizen called 9-1-1 to report seeing the vehicle. After a high-speed car chase, the suspect was apprehended and the child was safely reunited with his parents.

August 2002
Riverside, California
Ten-year-old Nichole Timmons was reported missing by her mother early one morning. After police went door-to-door attempting to retrieve information regarding her disappearance, they came to the conclusion that a former babysitter of hers had taken her and was capable of harming her. Officials immediately issued an AMBER Alert. Shortly there after, the California Highway Patrol requested that the Nevada Highway Patrol activate their Emergency Alert System as well in case the suspect might have taken Nichole across state lines. That afternoon, a motorist in Hawthorne, Nevada, saw the suspected vehicle, recognized it from the alert and notified authorities. The suspect was apprehended and Nichole was safely reunited with her mother. 

August 2002
Orange County
Sixteen-year-old Tamara Brooks and 17-year-old Jacqueline Marris were parked at a local “lovers' lane” with their boyfriends late at night in two separate cars. A man came out of the bushes and held all four teens at gunpoint. He tied up both boys, put the two girls in one of the cars, and sped off. As soon as authorities were alerted and confirmed that the girls were in danger, an AMBER Alert was issued across the region. A description of the girls; suspect; and vehicle, including the license-plate number was broadcast over local airwaves and displayed on electronic highway signs. In a short while an animal-control agent called after spotting the car in which the girls were abducted. She had matched the vehicle’s license-plate number with the information provided on the highway signs. Law-enforcement officers were soon at the scene, and the girls were safely recovered. 

April 2001
Houston, Texas
Just hours after 5-year-old Maria Cuellar was lured into a stolen ambulance and kidnapped in April 2001, she was recovered unharmed thanks to the AMBER Plan.  Authorities with the Houston Police Department say a man in his 20s had enticed 5 children between the ages of 4 and 8 from their apartment complex into an ambulance saying it was a playroom. But before the suspect drove off, all the children managed to escape except Maria.  Not long after Maria was abducted an AMBER Alert was broadcast throughout the  Houston region describing Maria, her abductor, and the ambulance.  After the alert hit the airwaves, a man in the community came forward and told police that he had seen a child with a man matching broadcasters’ description of the kidnapper in his neighborhood.  After a rapid search of the area Maria was successfully recovered and reunited with her family.  Her abductor was arrested.  This all happened within a matter of three hours.

March 1999
Saginaw, Texas
Dallas police credited the safe return of 9-year-old Fleisha Moore to the AMBER Plan. Fleisha was grabbed and thrown into a truck after a man had stopped her and a friend while they were walking home from school.  He enticed the girls with stories about a bunch of kittens in a nearby field. Luckily her friend was able to give police a full description of the abductor and details about his vehicle so that they could immediately issue an AMBER Alert. About five hours after the abduction, three motorists called in and reported a child wandering alone along the highway. It turns out that the abductor had ordered Fleisha to get out of the car after he heard the AMBER Alert with his description on the radio. Within hours after she was located, law enforcement arrested her abductor.

November 1998
Arlington, Texas
Steve and Patricia Bradbury had always felt safe leaving their 2-month-old daughter, Rae-Leigh, in the care of their trusted babysitter, Sandra Fallis, until the evening she didn’t come home. They were sure Rae-Leigh would be returned to them at 6:30 pm just as Fallis had promised; however, when night began to fall and neither the baby nor the sitter had returned, the Bradburys knew something was wrong and notified the police. Little did they know, Fallis had a history of illegal drug use. Police immediately considered the child to be endangered and triggered the AMBER Alert. Less than half an hour after the alert was issued, a motorist called in on his cellular telephone and reported that the vehicle described in the AMBER Alert was right in front of him on the highway. Within minutes a patrol car cornered Fallis and pulled her over. Rae-Leigh was safely returned to her parents, and Fallis was found guilty of kidnapping and received 10 years of probation.