A Kansas Highway Patrol trooper rescued a six-year-old girl who had been missing for over a month during a routine traffic stop. The trooper stopped an SUV for a traffic violation and discovered two men in their 60s inside, along with the young girl in the backseat.
Upon further investigation, the trooper found that the passenger had an outstanding warrant from another state for kidnapping the girl just over a month earlier. The driver also had a criminal history, including convictions for homicide and multiple weapons violations. With the help of a local sheriff's deputy, the trooper quickly detained both men and safely removed the child from the vehicle.
The girl initially provided a false name and date of birth, having been coached by one of the men to protect them. However, the trooper managed to calm her down and learn her real identity, confirming she was the subject of the kidnapping case.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the girl was unharmed, and both men were taken into custody. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the case, but have not released further details to protect the child's identity and the integrity of the open case.