Kentucky authorities canceled an Amber Alert issued Monday morning for a 5-year-old girl after she was discovered safe.
The Kentucky State Police issued an Amber Alert, stating that Lela Black was thought to have been abducted by her biological father, Byron Black, a fugitive wanted in connection with the killing of Kelly Black, her mother. On Monday afternoon, authorities announced Byron Black was arrested.
Police identified 42-year-old Byron Black as potentially “armed and dangerous.” The notice stated that no one had heard from Lela or Byron Black since Friday.
Kelly Black, 42, was found dead at a residence in Princeton, Kentucky, on Sunday, according to authorities. She died from an apparent gunshot wound in the back of her head.
According to Kentucky State Police, Byron and Lela Black were last seen driving a 1996 Chevrolet Silverado with peeling paint on the hood and California license plate 5J83779.
The alert described. Byron Black stands six feet tall, with brown eyes and brown hair. Lela Black stands 3 feet 6 inches tall and has brown hair and eyes, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
The U.S. Department of Justice said that 149 children were rescued last year as a result of Amber Alerts. According to a USA TODAY report released last year, Amber Alerts are extremely unusual, and even when they are issued, it is unclear how much they contribute to the safe return of children.