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Suspect Charged With Kidnapping Fort Worth Child

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FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - Edis Moya Alas is now behind bars, accused of kidnapping a 6-year-old Fort Worth girl over the weekend. But police are still looking into why he targeted this particular child as they attempt to learn more about the suspect and this case.

Moya Alas is in jail on an immigration hold. He entered the United States illegally, and authorities are trying to figure out how and why he came here from El Salvador. It is not known if the suspect had any connection to the Fort Worth child who he has been charged with kidnapping and sexually assaulting, or her family.

More than 40 police officers teamed up Saturday to track down the missing girl, who is now safe back at home. The victim had last been seen sleeping on her family's couch at about 10:00 p.m. on Friday night. The home's front door had been locked. But by 4:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, her father noticed that the door was open, and his daughter was gone.

After searching for about eight hours, a woman called authorities about screaming coming from Titus Park. Police tracked the suspect to the area, where he ran into the woods as the little girl raced toward officers.

The FBI Terrorism Task Forces from both Dallas and Fort Worth were also called to assist in this case. "They showed up after the incident was over," said Jimmy Pollozani with the Fort Worth Police Department. "They're helping out with the course of the investigation, interview techniques."

The child's parents are grateful to have their daughter back safe.

"I prayed to God to return her in good health. I didn't care, as long as I was able to see my daughter," the child's mother stated through a translator. "It was a very difficult time for me. The seconds, minutes seemed like an eternity."

"We give thanks to God that we have our daughter back," the child's father added, also through a translator. "We have to move forward. We are so happy."

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