A shocking video has emerged, capturing the emotional moment an 8-year-old girl was rescued after allegedly being abducted from a Maroochydore Child Safety Service Centre on Thursday.
The Ordeal Began at a Child Safety Centre
The girl was taken from the Beach Road facility, prompting a statewide amber alert to be issued.
Police allege the 44-year-old man, who knew the girl, snatched her from the centre on December 19.
Dramatic Rescue Unfolds
Thanks to diligent police work, the man and the girl were found “safe and well” at a Eerwah Vale property just hours later, around 6 pm. A video from 7NEWS shows the girl being led safely into a car, with an onlooker heard saying, “The girl’s safe… probably highly traumatised.”
Arrest and Charges
The 44-year-old Coolum Beach man was charged with one count each of child stealing and trespassing. He was set to face the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Friday.
The Unexpected Twist
In an unexpected turn of events, the man and the girl were found on a resident’s property in Eerwah Vale. The resident told 7NEWS, “The fact that it ended with no one getting hurt was the best of a bad situation, I suppose. Pure coincidence they ended up on our property for some reason, we don’t know.”
Police Intelligence Helps Prevent Tragedy
Detective Acting Inspector Scott Wiggins explained that the amber alert was issued due to police intelligence suggesting the child may have been at risk of harm. Fortunately, the swift response and investigation led to a safe and successful rescue.