DANVILLE, Va. -- Seven-month-old Emma Grace Kennedy has been found safe, and her father, Carl Ray Kennedy, has been arrested.
Danville Police, FBI, Randolph County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Secret Service arrested 51-year-old Kennedy in Randleman, N.C.
"Mr. Kennedy was located due to an anonymous tip, which stemmed from the AMBER alert," Randolph County Sheriff Robert A. Graves said.
"Investigators learned just prior to his arrest that Mr. Kennedy had applied paint to his car in an attempt to disguise the vehicle. The color was changed from gold to black but was still able to be recognized by a concerned citizen."
The tipster indicated that Carl Kennedy was at a residence in the 4000 block of Wells Lane in Randleman. Law enforcement officials converged on the home and arrested him without incident.
Emma Grace Kennedy appeared to be in good health and was being evaluated at the hospital, according to a release from the FBI. The mother of the child has been notified.
The AMBER Alert issued for Emma Grace Kennedy has been canceled.
Carl Kennedy is awaiting extradition to Danville, where he will be served warrants for domestic assault and abduction.
“Danville Police would like to thank its law enforcement partners and the public for their assistance in the arrest of Carl Ray Kennedy and the safe return of Emma Grace Kennedy,” said a Danville Police spokesperson.
On Sunday, June 3, at approximately 7:55 p.m., Emma Grace Kennedy was abducted from the Kwik Mart located at 4912 Riverside Drive (Route 58) in Danville.
The abduction occurred after Carl Ray Kennedy assaulted the victim’s mother, the FBI said.
Kennedy is a registered sex offender in North Carolina who was recently released from jail on drug distribution charges on a $250,000 bond.
