Missing toddler found safe

STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. — Police have found a 2-year-old who disappeared Thursday, and her mother is in custody.

An Amber Alert was issued for Ariona Shaney Woods. Stone Mountain police said they received a call about a child abduction around 5:20 a.m. Detectives said the girl's mother called from her home on West Mountain Street, saying a man she met a week ago had taken her child.

During the search for the child, police identified a 26-year-old suspect. Shortly after noon, police said he and a female friend returned Ariona to the Decatur Police Department headquarters. The girl is OK.

Detectives said the investigation is ongoing, but they don't believe they had an abduction on their hands. Ariona's mother, Angela Wood, was charged with false statements and child cruelty.

"At this time the investigation reveals that the mother had agreed for the alleged suspect and his girlfriend to keep the child, but did not bring the child back to her in a timely manner," Stone Mountain Detective M. Norrington said in a news release.

Police said the mother could face more charges. They said she was high on narcotics when they met her.

Norrington also said, "The alleged suspect, Joey Williams, was not charged in this incident as the investigation reveals he and his girlfriend was caring for the child with the mother's permission, while the mother was in the streets hanging out. However, he is being held on a warrant for his arrest out of another agency."

WSBTV