A 2-year-old girl missing from South Carolina, who law enforcement said could be in Minnesota, was found safe in Iowa late Thursday, officials announced Friday.
Dakota Ray is in protective custody and her parents were arrested on unrelated charges, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
William and Jessica Ray took their daughter from South Carolina on April 15. Law enforcement reported that both parents “are believed to be heavy methamphetamine users and law enforcement is concerned for the child’s well-being,” the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children announced Thursday.
Dakota was removed from her parents’ care for safety reasons and authorities were unable to locate them, according to the BCA.
On Thursday, the Winneshiek County sheriff’s office in northeast Iowa said they received a tip about a possible sighting of the family at a Walmart. Soon after, they received another call about the vehicle traveling just north of Decorah. Deputies found and stopped the vehicle.
William Ray was arrested and charged with felony theft, operating a non-registered vehicle, no valid driver’s license, failure to provide proof of financial liability and fifth-degree theft, according to the Winneshiek County sheriff’s office. He also had a warrant from South Carolina. Jessica Ray was arrested for fifth-degree theft.
Authorities announced Thursday that Dakota and her parents were captured in surveillance images at a hospital in Iowa on Monday. Information also showed they were at a gas station in Marshall, Minn., on Monday, and the BCA said it was possible they were in the Twin Cities metro area.
In a Friday post on Facebook, the Camden, S.C., police department thanked citizens who shared the story on social media and called in tips, adding, “(w)ith extra CHEERS to North Carolina, South Carolina, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa! You have been our eyes and ears and Dakota would not have been located without you!”