Amber alert canceled; 5-year-old Ala. girl found safe
BULLOCK COUNTY, Ala. -- The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has canceled an Amber Alert for a 5-year-old girl authorities say was abducted from her school in southeast Alabama on Thursday morning, reports CBS affiliate WHNT.
Authorities say Aaliyah Linton was taken by family members and was found safely in Lexington County, South Carolina Thursday afternoon, about 350 miles from the school, reports NBC affiliate WSFA.
The girl is safely in the custody of South Carolina State Police, according to another CBS affiliate, WAKA. An Amber alert was issued around 11 a.m., after officials said the girl was taken from Union Springs Elementary School Thursday at 8:40 a.m.
Shortly after the alert, officials were able to contact the girl's father, Alton Linton, according to WAKA.
Police initially said that two unknown women had abducted the girl and were believed to be traveling in a maroon van with North Carolina license plates. The women were later determined to be the girl's grandmother and aunt, according to WHNT.
Officers told WAKA that the child's father and the two women would likely face kidnapping charges.
Union Springs Elementary School reportedly remained on soft lockdown throughout the day.