A six-month-old girl in North Texas who had been the subject of an AMBER Alert this morning has been safely located out of state, according to officials. The alert, which was widely circulated after being issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety shortly after 8:30 a.m., had named the missing infant as Nova Brady. She was found with her biological parents, who are now facing charges, further to statements from law enforcement.
The AMBER Alert, as reported by KHOU, detailed that Nova was last seen earlier today in the 300 block of Munson Street in Rockwall, Texas. The accompanying alert identified Margaret Van Aken, 21, and Dakota Brady, 26, as persons wanted in connection with the baby's disappearance and believed to be traveling in a gray Toyota Sienna minivan. However, the initial alert did not clearly specify the relationship the two had with Nova.
Subsequent updates from officials, as covered by KENS5, shared that Nova was found near Springfield, Missouri. Police indicated that they developed a "high level of confidence" that the child's biological parents had taken her after losing parental rights. This narrative came to a head when Missouri Highway Patrol was able to locate and stop the parents' vehicle around 11 a.m., discovering the parents and Nova unharmed inside.
While the precise charges the parents will face have not been spelled out, police stated criminal charges are pending. The whereabouts and the manner in which Nova will be cared for are not detailed in the available reports. WFAA, respecting the privacy of the juvenile, has opted to remove the baby's name from their story now that she has been found.
