An AMBER Alert in West Plains, Missouri was canceled after a local business owner took decisive action, leading to the safe recovery of an abducted child.
The alert, issued for a young girl taken by her father, concluded when the suspect was detained thanks to the intervention of Scott Brown, the owner of Lynch Equipment.
Newsweek has reached out to the local police and the business owner for comment.
The Context
On Tuesday evening, an AMBER Alert was issued in Howell County, Missouri, after Joseph Raider allegedly abducted his daughter.
Before being found by officials, two-year-old Paxton Raider was seen just before 9 p.m. on Tuesday. She was seen with her father. Officials described the incident as a “parental abduction” and said that Joseph Raider was “possibly intoxicated, and has made suicidal statements.”
Raider took the child and left on foot.
The alert triggered a state-wide search, which concluded early Wednesday morning due to Brown’s vigilance.
What We Know
Brown recounted the events that led to the alert’s resolution to Arkansas-based K8 News. Upon arriving at his business around 6:45 a.m., he encountered Raider and the child.
“He stepped up to the building and wanted to know if he could use a phone, so I dialed the number for him and let him use my cell phone,” Brown told K8 News. Noting that both appeared tired and in need of assistance, Brown invited them inside his business.
During the interaction, Brown learned from Raider that they had been walking all night, evidenced by Raider’s wet clothing.
Concerned, Brown contacted his wife, who informed him of the ongoing AMBER Alert, which he had received but not yet read. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Brown acted swiftly. “I locked him in the building and called the law. They got up here and done their thing,” Brown explained.
Authorities arrived promptly, apprehending Raider and ending the search. The child was safely returned to her mother, while the police praised Brown for his quick thinking.
Brown stated, “I just locked him in a building where he couldn’t get away so they could get here and do what they need to do.”
Raider now faces a charge of felony parental kidnapping with a bond set at $10,000.
The success of this AMBER Alert underscores the importance of community vigilance and the effectiveness of the AMBER Alert system. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the AMBER Alert program has contributed to the recovery of over 1,100 children since its inception, with stringent criteria ensuring alerts are issued only in the most critical situations.
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Uncommon Knowledge
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