RANDOLPH COUNTY, N.C. — The Randolph County Sheriff's Office said deputies have found a missing child at the center of an Amber Alert.
Deputies said they found 1-year-old Ava Pierce on Tuesday after the alert went out for her in the morning. Ava's mother, 34-year-old Roxanne Parson, is in custody.
Deputies said they got a tip about the mom and child's possible location. They pulled over a car at the intersection of Berry Lane and Sussex Trail in Climax, where they identified Parson and her daughter in a car seat.
Parson was arrested and taken before a magistrate where she was served a warrant for felony abduction of a child. She was given a $20,000 secured bond. Ava was returned to her father.
Deputies believe Parson abducted her daughter during a visit on December 1. The sheriff's office said Parson does not have parental rights. Ava's father reported her missing Monday night. There was a heightened urgency to find Ava because deputies said she has a medical condition that requires medication and did not have it with her.
North Carolina Probation and Parole also got a warrant for misdemeanor probation violation for Parson. She was served the warrant and received an additional $10,000 secured bond and electronic house arrest.
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety lists certain guidelines that must be met before an AMBER Alert is issued:
- 17 years old or younger
- Believed to have been abducted
- Not taken by a parent (unless the child is in danger or not allowed to be with the child)
- Not believed to be a runaway or voluntarily missing
- Abduction has been reported to and investigated by a law enforcement agency
The U.S. Department of Justice reports the following guidelines must be met to issue an Amber Alert.
- There is reasonable belief by law enforcement an abduction has occurred.
- The abduction is of a child age 17 or younger.
- The law enforcement agency believes the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death.
- There is enough descriptive information about the victim and abduction for law enforcement to issue an AMBER Alert to assist in the recovery of the child.
- The child’s name and other critical data elements, including the Child Abduction flag, have been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database.
This is a developing story. Stick with WFMY News 2 for updates.