Abducted child found unharmed

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The abduction of a baby girl early Tuesday morning, June 19, prompted Gilmer County law enforcement officials to request assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and to issue a Levi’s Call and Amber Alert before the child was found unharmed.

According to information supplied by Gilmer County Detective Lane Bennett, the mother of an eight-month old female reported that her daughter had been taken from the Sumner Top Apartments on Hwy. 52 West between the hours of midnight and 3 a.m. Tuesday while she was doing laundry.

She told officers that Jeremy Blackwell, 36, of Ellijay, had taken the child and gave officers a description of the vehicle Blackwell might be driving.

Bennett told the Times-Courier the GBI was contacted to take a lead in the case and GBI Special Agent Dustin Hamby arrived to head the search and investigation.

All three local law enforcement offices were placed on alert to look for Blackwell’s vehicle, and just after sun up, a Gilmer County deputy spotted a truck and driver matching the description that had been issued.

Units pulled Blackwell over on Maddox Drive just inside the City of Ellijay, and he was taken into custody without incident. The baby was taken to North Georgia Medical Center for a checkup and then released.

The Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office has charged Blackwell with DUI and endangering a child, having an open alcohol container, and not using a child restraint. At press deadline Tuesday, Bennett said, “Special Agent Hamby is expected to get a warrant for kidnapping for Blackwell in the next 48 hours. Until then, the investigation continues.”

Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson said, “We are glad this incident had a quick and happy ending and that child has been reunited with her family. Gilmer County dep-uties and detectives, along with GBI special agent Hamby, did an exemplary job in bringing this incident to a close without incident and injury to anyone.”