A 6-week-old girl was reunited with her mother Tuesday after being taken from a store in Lebanon, Missouri.
The child was found safe and unharmed approximately one hour after police were notified of her disappearance, KY3 reported.
Authorities took two people into custody following the incident: a 17-year-old girl and an 18-year-old man, according to Lebanon police.
Patricia Uder, the infant’s mother, said she was at the Free Store Ministry in Lebanon on Tuesday morning with her daughter when the child was taken from her care, KY3 reported.
“I couldn’t find her in the baby section of the clothes, which wasn’t even that far from where the toy section is in the free store,” Uder said, KY3 reported.
The theft occurred while the baby was being held by Uder’s 17-year-old cousin. Witnesses at the store described the moment the child was removed from the premises.
Ambry Shaffer, who was present at the store, told KY3 that she saw the cousin walk out the door carrying the infant and a tote bag.
“She had a tote in her hand and a baby in the other,” Shaffer said, noting she initially assumed the girl was the child’s mother and was simply heading out with a full load, KY3 reported.
The realization that the child was missing only set in once people inside the store began asking if anyone had seen the baby, Shaffer told KY3.
“I was in there playing with her and next thing I know I hear people start asking for a baby and I’m like, I just let one out the door with who I assumed was the mom,” Shaffer said, KY3 reported.
Other individuals at the scene, including Bridget Reeves, also participated in the immediate search for the infant, KY3 reported.
While witnesses searched the store, Lebanon police utilized license plate reader technology to track the direction of the vehicle involved in the incident, according to police reports.
As the vehicle appeared to be traveling toward Jefferson City, officers contacted the Missouri State Highway Patrol to request an Amber Alert, KY3 reported.
Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers intercepted the vehicle around 12:20 p.m. Tuesday in Fulton, successfully locating the baby before an official Amber Alert could be issued, KY3 reported.
The mother was eventually reunited with her daughter at the Missouri State Highway Patrol headquarters in Jefferson City, KY3 reported.
Uder expressed gratitude for the response of the law enforcement officers involved in the recovery, KY3 reported.
“They helped me put out a police report,” Uder said, noting that Officer Boston remained on the phone with her through the arrest, KY3 reported.
Uder told KY3 she believes the incident was a planned attempt to flee with the child, citing the specific items the suspect had prepared.
“She had her own car seat and had her own diapers, home formula, everything,” Uder said, KY3 reported.
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