OGDEN, Utah — An Ogden family is feeling extremely thankful for the safe recovery of their 13-year-old daughter.
She was allegedly taken by a family friend on Wednesday morning, which resulted in an AMBER Alert being issued.
But she was later found safe near Fort Collins, Colorado.
Relatives and friends who had gathered outside the family home got the good news right around 7:00 PM Wednesday.
FOX 13 News spoke with mom and dad moments after they were notified and after a very stressful afternoon.
Jesse Francisco received the update directly from Ogden police officers.
“And they tell us, ‘OK we have your daughter, she’s safe and he is in custody.”
Erika Francisco was overjoyed.
“Relief! Relief that I know she’s safe and that she’s coming home. It’s been a very long and stressful day," said Erika.
It all began earlier in the day when 33-year-old Chris Wiggins took off with their 13-year-old daughter.
Wiggins is, or was, a family friend.
Someone they let stay with them with his own daughter.
A child Wiggins left behind when he allegedly abducted their 13-year-old daughter.
They were eventually found in Colorado, and while some of the details remain sketchy and unanswered, Erika and Jesse are just extremely grateful for the police.
“Thank you for bringing my daughter safe. For bringing my daughter home safely and finding her so quickly!
That’s the only thing I can say," she said.
“And to know that she is coming home is the best feeling in the world!”
Wiggins and the 13-year-old were located by deputies in Larimer County, Colorado.
The Family is now heading to the Fort Collins area to get their daughter.
FOX 13 news learned that Christopher Wiggins had at least one prior arrest and conviction for unlawful sexual activity with a minor… it may be a big reason why this rose to the level of an amber alert for ca hild considered missing and endangered.
Stay with fox13now.com and FOX 13 News for the latest on this breaking news story
