4-Year-Old Girl and Her Baby Sister Disappear – The Chilling Discovery That Ended the Search
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.
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:
Police said Brown had known the girls’ mother for a period of time and had gained her trust before she was allowed to care for the children.
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.
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.
