Latest news with #TurquoiseAlert
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Yahoo
Arizona just activated its first-ever Turquoise Alert and most residents didn't know what to do
When phones across Arizona lit up with a Turquoise Alert on July 23, 2025, many people wondered: how does this differ from the familiar Amber Alert? When a statewide alert pinged Arizonans' phones in late July—complete with loud emergency tones and bold 'Turquoise Alert' messaging—many residents were caught off guard. Was this a mistake? A glitch? A new kind of Amber Alert? It turns out, it was something new. The Turquoise Alert is Arizona's latest tool in the search for missing people—one that quietly launched this year and was activated for the first time on July 23. And unlike the well-known Amber Alert, which only applies to children in confirmed abduction cases, this new alert is designed to fill the gaps—especially in cases where foul play is suspected but doesn't meet the strict criteria for other systems. Here's what you need to know about the alert's origins, how it works, and why it might just help save lives. What is a Turquoise Alert used for? The Turquoise Alert was created under Emily's Law, named for 14‑year‑old Emily Pike, a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe whose tragic disappearance sparked calls for broader emergency notification tools in Arizona. Her body was eventually found along a stretch of U.S. 60 about 19 miles north of Globe, Arizona. According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety's website, unlike an Amber Alert—which is used for confirmed child abductions—the Turquoise Alert is designed for missing individuals under age 65 whose disappearance is suspicious, potentially dangerous, and not the result of a runaway situation. It also allows public alerts when local search efforts have been exhausted and community awareness might help. How the first activation played out On the night of July 12, six-year-old Violet Coultas‑Benson traveled from Hawaii with her non‑custodial mother, Sarah, arriving at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Authorities later learned that Sarah had violated a court order—prompting concern and investigation. Arizona activated the Turquoise Alert on July 23, triggering statewide push notifications, digital billboards, and emergency broadcast messages. Within hours, tips poured in—over 30 potential sightings across the state—helping law enforcement locate the pair. By 1 a.m. on July 24, Violet was found safe at a women's shelter in Cottonwood, and Sarah was taken into custody. Why It Stands Out from Other Alerts Scope: Amber Alerts focus on children under 18; Turquoise covers missing people up to age 65 who may be endangered in suspicious circumstances. Reach: Alerts go out via Wireless Emergency Alerts on phones, social media posts, DPS website, and freeway signs handled by the Arizona Department of Transportation. Purpose: It was intentionally broadened during the legislative process—so while it was originally proposed for missing Indigenous individuals, the final version applies to anyone meeting the criteria under Emily's Law. The debut of the Turquoise Alert isn't just about one missing child—it's about recognizing the need for faster, more flexible tools when lives are on the line. By expanding who qualifies for urgent public alerts, Arizona is acknowledging what many families have long argued: not every disappearance fits neatly into a box. And now, with the Turquoise Alert in place, those critical early hours might actually make the difference between a safe return and a tragic outcome. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Yahoo
Turquoise Alert canceled after Hawaiian girl found in Cottonwood
The Brief DPS canceled the Turquoise Alert for 6-year-old Violet Coultas after she was found safe in Cottonwood. Violet, who is from Hawaii, was reportedly last seen with her non-custodial mother at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport on July 12. DPS officials say this is the first time the agency has activated the Turquoise Alert since it launched earlier in July. PHOENIX - A Turquoise Alert for a young girl who was last seen at an airport in Phoenix has been canceled after police say the child was found safe in Cottonwood. What we know According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, 6-year-old Violet Coultas was last seen on video surveillance at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on the night of July 12. At the time of her last appearance, investigators say she was accompanied by Sarah Coultas, who is identified as Violet's non-custodial mother. "Sarah Coultas is alleged to have fled Hawaii with Violet in violation of a court order," read a portion of the statement. Per a statement issued on July 19 by the Hawaii Police Department, Sarah, 48, was last seen with Violet in Hawaii on July 6. "Coultas is wanted for questioning in connection with a custodial interference investigation," Hawaii Police Department officials wrote, referencing Sarah. Child found 'safe, asleep and undisturbed' Police in Cottonwood say they were notified late Wednesday night by the FBI that Violet and Sarah may be in the area. "Officers immediately began working to develop leads and quickly narrowed down a possible location," the department said. At 1 a.m. on Thursday, Violet and Sarah were found at a women's shelter where Sarah was taken into custody. "The child was found safe, asleep and undisturbed, and remained in the care of police and shelter staff until the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) arrived and took custody," police said. Dig deeper DPS officials have confirmed with us that this is the first time a Turquoise Alert was issued in Arizona. The alert was launched on July 10 after being signed into law by Governor Katie Hobbs. Lawmakers say the Turquoise Alert was written for Indigenous people, but it can be issued for anyone that meets the following criteria: The missing person is under the age of 65. Investigators have exhausted all other available local resources. The person has gone missing under unexplained or suspicious circumstances. The missing person is in danger, or with someone who is potentially dangerous. If public information can assist in the safe recovery of the missing person. Solve the daily Crossword
Miami Herald
24-07-2025
- Miami Herald
Turquoise Alert Issued For 6-Year-Old Girl in Arizona
A Turquoise Alert has been issued for a 6-year-old girl who was last seen in Arizona with her mother, who does not have custody of her. The Arizona Department of Public Safety said that mother Sarah Coultas is alleged to have fled from Hawaii with her daughter Violet, in violation of a court order. A Turquoise Alert is a public notification system in Arizona designed to help locate missing endangered individuals under the age of 65 under suspicious or unexplained circumstances. The alert was created after the passage of Emily's Law in May 2025, named in memory of Emily Pike, a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, who was found dead in February. Her case highlighted the need for an alert system for those who fall outside of the criteria for an Amber Alert. This is the first time the Arizona Department of Public Safety has issued a Turquoise Alert after the system was established in May. Police are seeking to track down Violet Coultas and return her to safety after she was sighted with her noncustodial mother. According to the Turquoise Alert, Violet Coultas was last seen with her mother on video surveillance at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on July 12 at around 10 p.m. The child was last seen wearing a white shirt, pink jacket, pink sweater, light-colored shorts, and white shoes. She is 3 feet 10 inches tall, weighs 43 pounds, and has blonde hair and hazel eyes. Any sightings or information is requested to be reported to 911. Any leads or historic tips can be directed to the Hawaii Police Department. The Hawaii Police Department said in a statement that Coltas was wanted for questioning in connection with a custodial interference investigation before she disappeared with the child. The mother most recently lived in Pa'auilo and worked in Hilo on the island, they said. She is described as being 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds, and having straight brown hair and hazel eyes. The pair were spotted together on July 6 at the top of Miloli'i Road in South Kona, Hawaii, before next being seen at an Arizona airport the following week. The Arizona Department of Public Safety said in a statement: "Sarah Coultas is alleged to have fled Hawaii with Violet in violation of a court order." Authorities in both Arizona and Hawaii are working to locate Violet and ensure her safe return. 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
24-07-2025
- Newsweek
Turquoise Alert Issued For 6-Year-Old Girl in Arizona
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A Turquoise Alert has been issued for a 6-year-old girl who was last seen in Arizona with her mother, who does not have custody of her. The Arizona Department of Public Safety said that mother Sarah Coultas is alleged to have fled from Hawaii with her daughter Violet, in violation of a court order. What Is A Turquoise Alert? A Turquoise Alert is a public notification system in Arizona designed to help locate missing endangered individuals under the age of 65 under suspicious or unexplained circumstances. The alert was created after the passage of Emily's Law in May 2025, named in memory of Emily Pike, a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, who was found dead in February. Her case highlighted the need for an alert system for those who fall outside of the criteria for an Amber Alert. Why It Matters This is the first time the Arizona Department of Public Safety has issued a Turquoise Alert after the system was established in May. Police are seeking to track down Violet Coultas and return her to safety after she was sighted with her noncustodial mother. What To Know According to the Turquoise Alert, Violet Coultas was last seen with her mother on video surveillance at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on July 12 at around 10 p.m. Terminal 3 of Phoenix Sky Harbor airport in Arizona pictured on April 8, 2019. The airport was the last place that Sarah and Violet Coultas were sighted. Terminal 3 of Phoenix Sky Harbor airport in Arizona pictured on April 8, 2019. The airport was the last place that Sarah and Violet Coultas were sighted. Getty Images The child was last seen wearing a white shirt, pink jacket, pink sweater, light-colored shorts, and white shoes. She is 3 feet 10 inches tall, weighs 43 pounds, and has blonde hair and hazel eyes. Any sightings or information is requested to be reported to 911. Any leads or historic tips can be directed to the Hawaii Police Department. The Hawaii Police Department said in a statement that Coltas was wanted for questioning in connection with a custodial interference investigation before she disappeared with the child. The mother most recently lived in Pa'auilo and worked in Hilo on the island, they said. She is described as being 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds, and having straight brown hair and hazel eyes. The pair were spotted together on July 6 at the top of Miloli'i Road in South Kona, Hawaii, before next being seen at an Arizona airport the following week. What People Are Saying The Arizona Department of Public Safety said in a statement: "Sarah Coultas is alleged to have fled Hawaii with Violet in violation of a court order." What Happens Next Authorities in both Arizona and Hawaii are working to locate Violet and ensure her safe return.
Hindustan Times
24-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Who is Violet Coultas? Turquoise Alert issued for 6-year-old Hawaiian girl
The Arizona Department of Public Safety have issued a Turquoise Alert for a 6-year-old girl named Violet Coultas, who was last seen at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport with her non-custodial mother, Sarah Coultas. Violet is described as a white girl, 3 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 43 pounds, with blonde hair and hazel eyes. She was last seen wearing a white shirt and pink jacket.(Hawaiʻi Police Department, X/Candice Echternacht , Skidi band) Officials believe she may have been taken in violation of a court order. The alert went out Wednesday night, urging the public to keep an eye out for Violet, who was last spotted around 10 p.m. on July 12 at the airport. She had been travelling with her mother, who does not have legal custody. 'Public Safety Alert This is the Arizona Department of Public Safety. A Turquoise Alert has been issued for Arizona,' the alert every Arizona native receiving read. 'Contact 911 with any information or sighting.' Arizona authorities described Violet was 'last seen with non-custodial mother Sarah Coultas (48-year-old white female, 5 feet 11 inches, 160 pounds, brown hair, hazel eyes).' Sarah Coultas, Violet's mother, is wanted for questioning by the Hawaii Police Department in connection with a custodial interference investigation, according to Hawaii News Now, a sister station of Arizona's Family. {This is a developing story. Please stay tuned with us for the latest updates.}
