Local

Neighbors happy for abducted teen's safe return

ELLENWOOD, Ga. — Neighbors said they were very happy when they heard that Ayvani Perez had been found safe.

Perez's family had little to say after her news of her rescue spread through the Brookgate subdivision in Ellenwood.

Channel 2's Erica Byfield said family members brought "welcome home" balloons to the family home.

"We're just happy and glad that she's home and God answered our prayers and she is fine," neighbor Chanell Clayburn said.

"We have just been praying as a community for her safe return and so I'm so excited," said neighbor Fran Pond.

Pond said she doesn't know the girl but in the day and a half she saw Ayvani's picture all over the place she felt a connection.

"My heart when goes out because I'm a mom, so my heart went out to her mom," Pond said.

Wednesday afternoon two Clayton County police cars still blocked the path down to the Perez house.

There has been heavy police presence in the area since the day the teen was snatched.

Parents, who Byfield talked to as they picked up their children up from the school bus, were delighted about the news of the girl's safe return and the announcement of two arrests.

"I'm happy for the mom," said Carolyn Njoroge.

What they and so many others want to know now is where are the two men police say took Ayvani?

"I hope they hurry up and find them," Pond said.

Byfield said she saw car loads of Perez's family drive in and out of the home throughout the afternoon.

At about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, a neighbor said Ayvani had returned home.

“Yes, she is back. She looks very nice. She's very relaxed. She's a sweet girl" neighbor Lucille Howard said. “I just told her that I’ve been praying for her and I’m very happy that she's back home."