Missing Girl, 5, Found On Bus Hours After 'Intoxicated' Father Reported Her Missing

A 5-year-old girl was found on a bus after police in New Mexico issued an Amber Alert.

Investigators looking for the child found her father intoxicated. He was then taken into custody for assaulting a peace officer and resisting arrest.

The search for 5-year-old Oreyana Clinton (sometimes spelled Oriana) began after the girl's father, Nicholas Clinton, arrived at a family shelter, managed by the city of Albuquerque, without his daughter at around 8:20 p.m. Monday, according to KRQE News 13.

Police reached the shelter after he reported the girl missing. As police were questioning Nicholas, he was unable to tell officers where he last saw his daughter or what happened to her.

Nicholas "appeared intoxicated and was slurring his words," police said. The father also stated "[police] should be out looking for his child and not on scene with him" while speaking to cops, as per the outlet.

The man also allegedly made fists and lunged toward an officer before he was arrested and charged.

Investigators found that Oreyana was last seen with her father trying to enter a city bus Monday afternoon. However, Nicholas wasn't allowed to enter the bus because of his "state of intoxication," the Albuquerque Police Department said.

An Amber Alert was issued for Oreyana at around 9 a.m. Tuesday, KOAT reported.

"Oreyana was reported missing after her intoxicated father showed up to a shelter without her ... Oreyana's father is not able to tell us what happen or where he last saw Oreyana," the police department wrote on Facebook. "The last location anybody saw them together was at 51st and Central trying to board a city bus. Due to the father's state of intoxication he was denied access to the bus."

Officers located Oreyana on a bus at around 9:23 a.m., less than an hour after issuing the Amber Alert.The child's whereabouts between Monday night and Tuesday morning remained unclear.

"Oreyana Clinton was safely located on a bus in Albuquerque. Thank you for your assistance," the police said in an update.

Nicholas, who has a history of domestic violence charges against Oreyana's mother, was not facing any charges related to Oreyana's missing. The girl's mother also faced charges of child abuse and child endangerment in the past. On one occasion, Nicholas and Kimberly were accused of trying to buy meth while their daughter was with them.