Authorities trying to find a 2-year-old South Carolina girl announced Thursday she may be in Minnesota, possibly the Twin Cities metro area.
William and Jessica Ray took their daughter, Dakota Ray, on April 15. Law enforcement reports that both parents “are believed to be heavy methamphetamine users and law enforcement is concerned for the child’s wellbeing,” according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Dakota was removed from her parents’ care for safety reasons and authorities have been unable to locate them, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
On Monday, Dakota and her parents were captured in surveillance images at a hospital in Iowa, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children said Thursday. Information also shows they were at a gas station in Marshall, Minn., on Monday, according to the BCA.
In an alert issued Thursday, the BCA said the family “may still be in the state, possibly the metro area.”
The family has been traveling in a 1996 gold or beige Ford Aerostar van and may be frequently changing the license plate on the vehicle to avoid detection. They are believed to be sleeping the vehicle.
According to Camden, S.C., police, it is possible the parents may be begging or asking strangers for money.
Dakota is 2 feet, 6 inches tall, 25 pounds, and has blonde hair and blue eyes. Jessica Ray is 36-years-old, is 5 feet, 2 inches tall, 112 pounds and has long, light brown hair and blue eyes. William Ray is 44-years-old, 6 feet, 1 inch tall, 340 pounds, and has light brown hair and blue eyes.
Anyone with information is asked to contact 911, Camden, S.C., police department at 803-425-6025 or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 800-THE-LOST (800-843-5678).