SANFORD, N.C. — A missing 3-year-old out of Sanford, North Carolina was found safe in Tennessee late Wednesday and her father was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife, the girl’s mother, ABC affiliate WTVD reported.
An Amber Alert was issued shortly after 7 p.m. for Riley Harper Bockes after her father, Brent James Bockes, allegedly abducted the girl.
Riley’s mother, Deana Michelle Bockes, was found dead inside their home Wednesday afternoon, according to reports.
Brent James Bockes allegedly abducted Riley from the home on Lee Avenue in Lee County. The Sanford Police Department told WTVD that it responded to the house around 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday for a well-being check.
Police found Deana Michelle Bockes dead inside the home and her death was being investigated as a homicide, police said. Authorities have not said how she died.
Sanford Police told WTVD that about 9 p.m., the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee located the stolen car the two were traveling in. The burgundy 2013 four-door Toyota Avalon with N.C. license tag number TJC-1491 had been involved in a crash on Interstate 24 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Brent James Bockes ran from the crash scene with the girl, WTVD reported. The two were found at the Select Inn Motel on S. Church Street in Murfreesboro. Riley was unharmed.
Brent James Bockes has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Deana Michelle Bockes. He was also charged with robbery and larceny of a motor vehicle.
Check back with wsoctv.com for updates on this story.
(WATCH BELOW: Boyfriend of missing 21-year-old Charlotte woman charged with murder)
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