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5-year-old reported missing in DeKalb found safe; mother in custody in New Jersey

Amaya Blanton, who had been missing since July 20, was found with her mother, 25-year-old Dimesha Davis, in New Jersey.
Amaya Blanton, who had been missing since July 20, was found with her mother, 25-year-old Dimesha Davis, in New Jersey.
July 30, 2019

A 5-year-old girl who was reported missing in DeKalb County more than a week ago has been found and is safe, officials said.

Police spokesman Sgt. J.D. Spencer said Amaya Blanton is on her way back to Georgia after she and her mother were located in New Jersey.

RELATED: 5-year-old girl reported missing in DeKalb; warrant out for mother's arrest

The girl was reported missing July 20, AJC.com previously reported. The child’s family told Channel 2 Action News her mother, Dimesha Davis, 25, was supposed to return Amaya to the custody of her grandmother after her weekend visitation was over. However, when the time came, Davis and the girl were nowhere to be found.

Davis was taken into custody by the Essex County Police Department in New Jersey, Spencer said.

Authorities previously obtained a warrant charging Davis with interference with custody in connection with the child’s disappearance, Spencer said.

We’re working to learn more.

— Please return to AJC.com for updates.

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About the Author

Asia Simone Burns is a watchdog reporter for the AJC. Burns was formerly an intern in AJC’s newsroom and now writes about crime. She is a graduate of Samford University and has previously reported for NPR and WABE, Atlanta’s NPR member station.

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