AMBER Alert canceled for missing 10-year-old, girl found safe in Texas
AMBER Alert canceled for missing 10-year-old, girl found safe in Texas
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Here's how to take action when a person goes missing.
Authorities have found a 10-year-old Texas girl who was reported missing on April 30, and the man she was with has been charged with kidnapping.
The girl was reported missing out of Hamlin, about 46 miles northwest of Abilene, and an AMBER Alert was issued for her, according to officials. She was found around 11:30 a.m. on May 1, Hamlin Police Chief Jay Strong told USA TODAY during a phone call.
"It has been a long 40 hours, but this is like winning the World Series," Strong said. "She is safe. She is healthy. She's being checked out by medical, and we're just striving to get her reunited with her family."
Strong said the girl was with a family friend who is not related to her. The man, 43-year-old Terry Jeter, left with the girl on April 30 and was supposed to return home around 8 p.m., but did not. Her parents called police a few hours later. Authorities issued an AMBER Alert around 6 a.m. on May 1 and by 11:30 a.m., she was found safe, Strong said.
Chief Strong said Jeter has been charged with kidnapping.
Finding the girl was a joint effort made up of more than 5 agencies, including the Jones County Sheriff's Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety, Strong said.
More news: 3.9 magnitude earthquake shakes Utah; no damage or injuries reported
More on the AMBER Alert program
The AMBER Alert program is operated within the Office of Justice Programs. It was created in 1996 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
The program name, AMBER, stands for 'America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response.' The acronym is a tribute to 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, who was kidnapped while riding her bike in Arlington, Texas, and murdered.
Since then, other states have created their own AMBER Alert systems.
As of Dec. 31, 2024, 1,268 children have been successfully found through the AMBER Alert program, and 226 children have been rescued due to wireless emergency alerts.
This article has been updated to include new information.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.
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