A Missouri man was arrested on Tuesday night in connection to the disappearance of 10-year-old Hailey Owens, Fox News reported.
Owens was abducted from her home in Springfield on Tuesday afternoon, prompting Amber Alerts Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. On Wednesday morning, Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams announced that authorities arrested a suspect, Craig Michael Wood, after receiving a tip that led to his vehicle.
Though authorities would not disclose further details on his arrest, the Green County sheriff's website claims Williams is charged with first-degree murder. The website does not name a victim or circumstances of the charge.
According to Ozarksfirst.com, Wood is a coach at Pleasant View K-8 School.
Dr. Norm Ridder, superintendent of the Springfield school district, released a statement regarding the incident.
"Last night we learned the terrible news that one of our students had been abducted near her home. This morning, our sadness is compounded by the recent developments in the case of Hailey Owens' abduction.
"The suspect in this case, Craig Michael Wood, was arrested by Springfield Police Department. Wood has been employed by SPS since Aug. 18, 1998. He works as a paraprofessional and athletic coach at Pleasant View K-8 School. His employment has been suspended until this matter is resolved."
Witnesses said a man snatched Hailey in front of a neighbor's home and sped off in a gold 2008 Ford Ranger. The man allegedly drove up and down the street several times before abducting the girl around 5 p.m.
The News-Leader reported that officers performed extensive searches throughout the night, citing a police report.
Wood was found at a home about five miles away from where Hailey lives.
Hailey is 5-foot-2-inches and weighs 90 lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing jean shorts and purple sandals.
Stacey Owens, the girl's mother, said she was on her way home from visiting a friend when she was kidnapped.
Hailey's aunt, Erin Peterson, said she would do absolutely anything to get her niece back.
"She's a very lively, bubbly, sweet little girl. She's spontaneous, very innocent," she told the News-Leader. "I'm in shock right now. I feel like I need to be productive to find my niece."
