A 57-year-old Huntington Beach woman accused of kidnapping her granddaughter and taking her across state lines was being held in Arizona awaiting extradition on a child stealing warrant.
Carolyn Ferguson was accused of taking the 6-month-old girl Thursday morning after having an argument with her daughter, the child’s mother, the night before, according to a news release from the Huntington Beach Police Department.
Family members reported the child’s disappearance and told police that Ferguson had a history of mental health issues and had recently stopped taking her medication, the release stated.
An Amber Alert was activated through the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol for multiple counties.
Thursday evening, Ferguson and the child were spotted at a convenience store in Tonopah, Arizona.
A store clerk noticed Ferguson and said she was acting strangely.
A customer recognized Ferguson from the Amber Alert and urged the store clerk to call 911, the release stated.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department responded and took Ferguson into custody.
The child was determined to be healthy and was reunited with her mother late Thursday evening, police said.
