5-year-old reported missing in DeKalb found safe; mother arrested

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.

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.

UPDATE

Amaya Blanton has been located and is safe. Dimesha Davis is in custody at the Essex County Police Department in New Jersey. https://t.co/X9zEfHEhoC
— DeKalb County Police Department (@DeKalbCountyPD) July 30, 2019

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.

In other news:

An estimated 17,000 students will see a new security feature as they return to class Monday.

About the Author

Asia Simone Burns

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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