JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (WSVN) — An AMBER Alert has been issued for a 5-year-old Jacksonville girl.
Authorities are searching for 5-year-old Taylor Williams.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Taylor was last seen around midnight, Wednesday.
Taylor’s mother, Brianna Williams, reported her missing.
Investigators said upon waking up in the morning, Williams saw that she was not in her room, and the back door of the home was unlocked.
“She got up this morning, noticed that her back door was unlocked at her house, and when she checked her daughter’s bedroom looking for Taylor, Taylor was actually gone,” JSO Chief T.K. Waters said.
Dozens of volunteers are assisting police and crews in a frantic search for Taylor.
“I got the alert and I noticed the helicopters, so I felt like I should get up and walk around, see what I can see to help out,” volunteer Misty Townsend said.
Investigators brought Williams, a NAVY officer, in for questioning, and said that she and other family members are cooperating as the community continues to search for Taylor and hope that she is found safe.
“We hope that she’s not alone, and we hope that if she is with a family member or a friend, we’re begging that you would reach out to us,” Waters said.
Taylor was last seen wearing pink and purple pajamas. She stands 3 feet and weighs about 50 pounds.
“We’re working until we can’t work anymore,” Waters said to reporters. “We’ll trade out individuals. We’ll trade out officers. We’ll get them rest. We’ll get them fed, and we’ll continue the search until we can locate her.”
Authorities could be seen using bloodhounds to aid in their search for the missing child.
The child was initially reported missing, but it was upgraded to an AMBER Alert, which means investigators believe Taylor was abducted and may be in danger.
If you have any information on Taylor’s whereabouts, you are asked to call the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500 or 911.
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