2 missing Atlanta sisters found, babysitter arrested for kidnapping
Atlanta police rescue missing sisters in trailer
Atlanta police rescued two young sisters from a trailer after tracking cell phone data and hearing a baby cry
ATLANTA - Two young Atlanta sisters who were the subject of an Amber Alert have been found safe, and the babysitter accused of taking them is in custody, Atlanta police said Monday.
What we know:
Four-year-old Zola Cooper and her 11-month-old sister, Norah Cooper, were located in the 2000 block of Sylvan Road after an intensive search involving several Atlanta Police Department units.
Police said both girls are in good health.
Atlanta police give details about girls abducted
The Atlanta Police Department held a news conference on Monday afternoon to give details about the abduction of two young sisters and their rescue. A woman has been arrested in connection to the case.
Investigators said technology helped lead officers to the Sylvan Road area. People who lived nearby also provided information to investigators.
While searching the area, officers heard a baby crying. They gained access to a trailer and found both girls inside.
Police arrested the girls' babysitter, Lakesha Brown, in connection with the case. She was being taken to Atlanta Police Department headquarters, where investigators planned to question her about the alleged kidnapping.
Missing Atlanta sisters found, family says
A family member has told FOX 5 Atlanta that the two young Atlanta girls who were reported missing and abducted by a babysitter have been found. Police will give more information at 1:30 p.m. This is breaking news.
Babysitter had gained mother's trust
What they're saying:
Lt. Christapher Butler said officers executed an exigent entry into the trailer based on the emergency and found the children alongside the suspect. SKYFOX 5 captured footage of officers loading the girls into an ambulance to be evaluated at Grady.
The girls' mother, Elica Redding, said she met the suspect, Keisha Brown, about a year ago in a mom group where Brown advertised free services for expecting mothers. Redding left her children with the babysitter starting at 10 p.m. last Saturday.
When the children were not returned, Redding called hospitals after Brown claimed they were in a car accident. Hospital staff had no record of them, prompting a 911 call at 10:30 p.m. last Sunday. Police say Brown is also suspected in a 2021 kidnapping of a 4-day-old baby in Alabama, where court records show she missed a court date in May.
The girls were last seen in the area of Jones Avenue Northwest and James P. Brawley Drive Northwest.
Family members told FOX 5 Atlanta that Brown had texted that she was taking the girls to Walmart around 6 p.m. A short time later, Brown allegedly told a family member that she and the children had been involved in some type of crash. The family later lost contact with her.
An Amber Alert was issued as authorities searched for the children, who police said were believed to be in extreme danger.
Previous Alabama case
Dig deeper:
During the investigation, Atlanta police learned Brown had been involved in a previous case in Alabama several years ago that authorities described as involving similar circumstances.
Atlanta investigators contacted authorities in Alabama for information about that case. Police said Brown also had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear related to the Alabama case.
The homicide unit became involved in the investigation as the search for the children intensified. Atlanta police said the department's fugitive unit ultimately located the children and took Brown into custody.
Authorities have not yet announced the specific charges Brown will face in the Atlanta case.
PREVIOUS REPORTS
Family gives information about missing Atlanta girls
FOX 5 Atlanta has spoken to a family member of the young missing girls in Atlanta and has provided some additional information about what reportedly happened with the babysitter.
What we don't know:
Police have not released a potential motive behind the incident. Officials have not confirmed the exact criminal charges Brown will face as investigators transport her back to headquarters for questioning.
2 young Atlanta sisters believed abducted
Atlanta police say 4-year-old Zola Cooper and 11-month-old Norah Cooper are critically missing and believed to have been abducted by their babysitter. The children were last seen in the area of Jones Avenue Northwest and James P. Brawley Drive Northwest in Atlanta.