Multiple law enforcement agencies are searching for a missing mother whose 8-year-old child was found Tuesday afternoon wandering in the woods in Liberty County.

About 3 p.m. Tuesday, a citizen saw the child walking on the dirt road portion of Briar Bay Road in Liberty County, according to News Now Georgia in Hinesville. Police arrived to assess the child, who told police that she and her mom were driving down a road when she lost control of the vehicle. According to the child, the crash happened in the dark, and they both walked several miles looking for help. However, at some point, the mother, who has been identified as Mandy Michelle Morehouse, was not able to keep walking, according to a police report.

Authorities uncovered the car in a ditch, which was several miles from where the child had walked.

Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, Long County Sheriff’s Office, Chatham County Police Department, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Midway Police Department are involved with the search. A helicopter search is also underway, according to the report.

Morehouse, 32, is 5 feet, 3 inches and weighs 149 pounds, according to the News Now Georgia report.

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Georgia Sens. Jon Ossoff (left) and Raphael Warnock — along with the other 45 members in the Democratic caucus — opposed the reconciliation bill that passed the Senate on Tuesday. The wide-ranging package extends tax cuts and slashes federal spending on safety net programs. (Ben Hendren for the AJC 2024)

Credit: Ben Hendren for the AJC