Missing Massachusetts Girl: Charlotte Moccia Located After Reported Abduction, Suspect In Custody

Springfield, Massachusetts, police said Thursday home security camera video helped them capture the 24-year-old suspect in the abduction of an 11-year-old girl.

Miguel Rodriguez was arrested Wednesday after police him driving a car carrying Charlotte Moccia, who allegedly was abducted earlier in the day. Police are also searching for a woman suspect.

The Springfield Police Department had issued an amber alert for Charlotte Wednesday afternoon after she vanished while walking home from school. A witness told police the girl was forced into a blue Honda sedan driven by a woman.

“When I came out, I heard the kid hollering for help,” the witness, whose name has not been released, told reporters. “By the time I got down to try to get the plate number, all I could see was an individual bent over, throwing her in the back. He shut the door and the car took off.”

The car was caught on a home security camera following Charlotte as she was walking home. Police released the footage after issuing the amber alert, asking for the public’s help in locating Charlotte or the car.

A driver reportedly spotted the car on the Massachusetts Turnpike Wednesday evening and called the Massachusetts State Police. After police pulled the car over, they discovered Charlotte in the car with a male driver identified as Rodriguez. He was brought to the Charlton State Police Barracks before being transferred to the Springfield Police Department.

Charlotte was described as being in “good health” and had suffered no apparent injuries. She was taken to a nearby hospital for further evaluation.

“We are grateful that we had an opportunity to find and rescue her before something even worse happened,” Massachusetts State Police Lt. Charles Murray told reporters. “I'm just ecstatic that we were able to return her safely. We just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”