SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Police have located a missing 11-year-old girl who was abducted from Springfield on Wednesday afternoon, prompting an Amber Alert from Massachusetts State Police.
One person was arrested in connection to the girl’s disappearance. The suspect was in the car that the child was found in on the Mass. Pike near the Auburn/Sturbridge area. Police identified that suspect as Miguel Rodriguez, 24, of Springfield.
#BREAKING source tells me Charlotte Moccia has been located after MSP cruisers spotted vehicle at 73 mile marker on route 90. Cheers heard from family’s Springfield home #Boston25 pic.twitter.com/d3wr6tz0fm
— Drew Karedes (@DrewKaredes) January 16, 2020
#Breaking: Springfield PD asking for the public's help in locating 11-year-old Charlotte Moccia. @SPD_HQ treating this as a possible abduction. Last seen around 1:30p on Lafayette St. A blue or dark colored Honda with tinted windows possibly involved. #Boston25 pic.twitter.com/g4vKnDtDdt
— Tim Martin (@TMar15) January 15, 2020
Police said 11-year-old Charlotte Moccia was walking home from Hampden Charter School and was seen being forced into a car at 1:26 p.m. near Princeton and Amherst streets.
A preliminary investigation suggests that Charlotte was forced into a dark blue Honda Civic that was driven by the suspect.
One neighbor witnessed the abduction and called 911.
“I came out and I heard the kid hollering for help,” said Julius Kenney, a neighbor. “By the time I got down to get the plate number, all I saw was an individual bent over, throwing her in the back, shut the door and the car took off. I was trying to get the plate number but I couldn’t get it, they took off that fast. The windows were tinted so you couldn’t see who was who.”
This is video of Charlotte walking home from school on Tuesday. The man in the foreground is not a suspect. The car that drives by is similar and believed to be the car involved in Wednesday’s abduction. #findcharlotte pic.twitter.com/afCXHjSqC4
— Ryan Walsh (@PIO_SPD) January 15, 2020
This is a picture of the car the SPD believes was involved in Wednesday's abduction. The photo was taken in the city on Tuesday. #findCharlotte pic.twitter.com/BMW5ODoQKV
— Ryan Walsh (@PIO_SPD) January 15, 2020
Investigation suggests black male forced Charlotte into an older dark blue Honda, possibly a Civic w/tinted windows, no front plate & distinctive rims. Car may have been being driven by a white or light-skinned Hispanic female. Images are of actual car. If seen call 911. https://t.co/CRc3ee7syu pic.twitter.com/kvsiwcMily
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) January 15, 2020
UPDATE - Further investigation indicates the suspect who forced CHARLOTTE MOCCIA into the car was a white or Hispanic male, not a black male. Further investigation also reveals that the car has distinctive aftermarket rims and a moonroof. Please call 911 if seen. https://t.co/XPyEgSe2qJ pic.twitter.com/riRNr0ZAlj
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) January 15, 2020
Mass. State Police described Moccia as a white, 4-foot-2, 60-pound girl with long brown hair. She may have been wearing a white jacket with khaki pants and a dark-colored shirt adorned with the Hampden Charter School logo. Police say she also may have been in possession of a school-issued laptop at the time.
Charlotte may be wearing a white jacket, khaki p ants, a dark shirt that may have the logo of the Hampden Charter School on it (see photo). She may have a school-issued laptop with her. If seen call 911. Tweet 2 of 3. https://t.co/y1bbzGPcXO pic.twitter.com/ApkVrZSC8W
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) January 15, 2020
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