DUNDALK, Md. (WJZ) — The Amber Alert is over for 11-year-old Caitlyn Virts. She and her father, Timothy Virts, were just found in South Carolina–alive.
Caitlyn is safe and her father is in custody.
Meghan McCorkell has the latest.
At 10:03 p.m., Baltimore County Police put out a message on Twitter, saying simply: “We found her.”
Both Caitlyn and Timothy Virts were found at a motel in Florence, South Carolina. Timothy Virts is now in police custody, and his daughter Caitlyn is safe.
A nationwide manhunt for 38-year-old Timothy Virts and his daughter 11-year-old Caitlyn Virts has ended.
“Timothy Virts and Caitlyn Virts were located in a motel in Florence, South Carolina. Obviously, Mr. Virts was taken into police custody. Caitlyn appears to be unharmed,” said Corporal John Wachter, Baltimore County Police.
Police believe Timothy Virts abducted his daughter from her Dundalk home Thursday morning. His ex-wife, Bobbie Jo Cortez, was found stabbed to death inside the home.
Baltimore County Police have now issued an arrest warrant for Timothy Virts for the murder of his ex-wife.
Two adults and two children were also inside the house at the time of the killing. It’s unclear why Virts took Caitlyn.
With the child missing for more than 37 hours, the FBI was called in to assist in the investigation.
“Obviously, our goal is to bring Caitlyn to safety and Timothy Virts to justice,” said Chief Jim Johnson, Baltimore County Police.
The FBI listed Timothy Virts on their Most Wanted List. The Amber Alert was expanded to three states–Maryland, West Virginia and North Carolina. Police followed up on dozens of leads.
“Investigators believe that the two being located is a direct result of an expanded Amber Alert that was put into place this afternoon,” Wachter said.
And Friday night, Timothy Virts is now in custody. His daughter Caitlyn is safe.
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Mike Hellgren spoke to family members following the news.
Caitlyn’s maternal grandfather did not want to talk about the details about how Caitlyn was found, but did say the family was relieved.
Mike Cortez also spoke with WJZ. He is the brother-in-law of Caitlyn’s mother.
Related Story: Abducted Baltimore County Girl Located, Father In Custody
“Yes it is. I’m very relieved,” Cortez said. “This has been very upsetting. When I found out that my sister-in-law was murdered, I just started crying. And my niece was kidnapped. I was just at a loss for words. And now that they’ve been found, it’s just… I’m so happy.”
After almost two days, police say they have now found Timothy Virts and his 11-year-old daughter Caitlyn.
Police say he fled after Caitlyn’s mother, Bobbie Jo Cortez, was found stabbed to death inside their home in Dundalk.
Bobbi Jo’s father pleaded for his granddaughter’s safe return.
“I’d like to tell him to bring her home and turn himself in,” Daniel Wallace said.
Questions remain about Virts’ motive. Police say Bobbi Jo’s new husband, a man named Daniel Cortez, had been living at the home and had recently been jailed for sexual abuse of a minor.
Her father doesn’t think that’s behind the abduction or the death of Bobbie Jo.
“Maybe he wanted money. Because he took her credit cards and he took her bank books and everything. He took everything out of her wallet,” Wallace said.
But Lisa LaFage said she had a relationship and children with Cortez, who is on the sex offender registry. She knew both Bobbie Jo and little Caitlyn and says the abuse allegations troubled her deeply.
“I pray for her every day. I pray for her so hard. My mom don’t even know her, but mom is heartbroken,” LaFage said.
And now it appears the search is over.
“I am so grateful for everybody’s help, everybody that was watching the Amber Alert and for everybody to do everything for us,” Mike Cortez said.
Baltimore County police officers are now headed to Florence, South Carolina.
Timothy Virts will be extradited back to Maryland to face first-degree murder charges.
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Filed under: Local, News, Syndicated Local Tagged: Abducted, Amber Alert, Caitlyn Virts, Found, Located, Missing, Safe, South Carolina, Timothy Virts 