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AMBER ALERT UPDATE: Maryland girl, 11, and dad found at SC motel

Posted at 12:34 AM, Mar 07, 2014
and last updated 2014-03-08 04:55:12-05

DUNDALK, Md. - A missing 11-year-old girl from Maryland has been found safe.

Police found Caitlyn Virts and her father at a motel in Florence, South Carolina Friday night. Her father was taken into police custody.

Virts went missing after her mother was found dead at a Baltimore County, Md. home.

CBS Baltimore reported the child was believed to have been abducted by her father, Timothy Virts.

Authorities responded to a home in Dundalk around 9 a.m. Thursday on reports of a person in cardiac arrest and found 36-year-old Bobbie Cortez dead. Police have not confirmed how she died.

Detectives say Cortez lived at the home with her three children -- 11-year-old Caitlyn, Caitlyn's twin sister and a son. Two adults whose relationships with the victim have not been verified also reportedly live at the home. The victim's other two children are safe and in the custody of family members, according to the station.

An Amber Alert for Caitlyn was issued Thursday morning. Police were concerned for her safety since she is not supposed to be with her father. The amber alert was lifted after Caitlyn was found.

The 11-year-old is described as being 5 feet and 80 pounds. She may be wearing glasses.

Timothy Virts, 38, is described as being 6'3" and 280 pounds.

He may be driving a black 1999 Dodge Durango bearing Maryland license plates 5AJ4458- which is registered to Daniel Cortez, 38. Daniel Cortez is the victim's husband. He is currently being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center on various sex offense charges, reports the station.

Anyone with information in regards to the whereabouts of Caitlyn Virts or Timothy Virts is asked to call 911 or Baltimore County Police Department at 410-887-2020.

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