Two suspects are now in custody after a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper discovered a kidnapped 6-year-old girl in their vehicle during a traffic stop.
The child had reportedly been missing for over a month after she was kidnapped.
Authorities revealed that the rescue occurred in February but information was withheld from the public until now to protect the integrity of the case.
A Kansas highway trooper pulled over an SUV for a traffic violation.
During the stop, the trooper discovered that the front-seat passenger had a warrant for his arrest.
The man was wanted in another state for kidnapping a 6-year-old girl just over a month earlier, the agency said.
The trooper spotted a girl around that age inside the vehicle with the passenger and driver.
Highway Patrol said both of the suspects were men in their 60s.
It was also discovered that the driver had a criminal history.
The driver’s rap sheet included homicide and numerous weapons violations.
With help from a local sheriff’s deputy, the trooper secured both men before safely removing the girl from the vehicle.
In a statement, the Kansas Highway Patrol said:
“This 6-year-old girl gave the trooper a false name and date of birth, after having been coached to do so, in an attempt to keep the adult out of jail.
“Ultimately, our trooper calmed the girl down and got her to tell him her real name.”
The girl was identified as the kidnapping victim who had been with the suspect on the run for over a month, according to authorities.
The girl was unharmed, according to the agency.
The two men were taken into custody.
In a social media post, a Kansas Highway Patrol spokesperson said:
“This case is a reminder of how a simple traffic stop can turn into something much bigger.
“Because of this trooper’s quick actions and training, a young girl is now safe and two dangerous individuals are off the streets.”
Authorities said they have been working to reunite the child with her family.
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