(WBIR-KNOXVILLE) A nationwide Amber Alert and an observant driver in Ohio led to the safe recovery of a little Knoxville girl.
Investigators believe Tyler Enix kidnapped 2-year-old Brooklynne Enix after killing his ex-wife, the girl's mother, Kimberly Enix. TBI issued the statewide alert on Wednesday and it went across the country Thursday morning.
Word came just before noon on Thursday that Brooklynne was found safe and Tyler Enix was in custody in Morrow County, Ohio.
Steve Adams is the man who spotted the black Chevy Impala that authorities believed the pair were traveling in, just getting of I-71 at State Route 95 in Morrow County.
10News listened to his 911 call. Adams tells dispatchers he spotted the car minutes after hearing the alert, but the first call taker was not aware of the alert. She transferred the call to the sherif's department, which also wasn't initially aware of the alert. Adams describes the black car with Tennessee tags with a bald driver, and dispatchers finally track down the information from the alert.
As authorities work to get deputies to the scene, Adams continues to follow the car. He says he doesn't want to get too close because he doesn't want to "spook" the man if he sees him on the phone. He stays behind the car, relaying information about where they are, and eventually getting close enough to confirm the license plate number and to see the little girl inside the car. He says she even waved at him.
Officers finally caught up to them, and pulled Enix over. Adams stays nearby on the phone, saying "he doesn't want to leave the deputy" until he knows all is safe. He tells the dispatcher he sees the little girl is out of the car and asks if she's okay. When the dispatcher confirms that Brooklynne was safe, they end the call.
Tyler Enix was arrested without incident. He was taken to the Morrow County Correctional Facility.
Brooklyn was not injured. She was checked out at a hospital and placed in the custody of children's services until arrangements can be made for her to be brought him and reunited with her family.
Two Knoxville police investigators will travel to Ohio at 1:30 p.m. KPD is working on a search warrant to allow investigators to process the vehicle as evidence.
Original Story: (WBIR – KNOXVILLE) The Knoxville Police Department provided an update Thursday morning on an Amber Alert issued for a 2-year-old girl.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) issued an Amber Alert was issued early Wednesday evening to try to find Brooklynne and Tyler Enix.
The Amber Alert remains active as of 9:15 a.m. Thursday.
"History shows the longer an abducted child remains missing, the great the danger of that missing child," Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch said.
Previous: KPD issues warrant for father charged with murder of mother, Amber Alert toddler still missing
Knoxville police issued a warrant late Wednesday night for the arrest of Tyler Enix, who is charged with first-degree murder.
Investigators believe Tyler Enix kidnapped Brooklynne Enix after killing the girl's mother, Kimberly Enix.
"They could be anywhere in the country at this point," Rausch said of Brooklynne and Tyler Ennix. "We're making sure he hasn't attempted to travel outside the country."
Tyler Enix, 36, of Knoxville was added to Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's Top 10 Most Wanted list on Thursday morning.
Rausch said an autopsy is being performed on Kimberly Enix Thursday morning.
Rausch made a plea to Tyler Enix Thursday morning, urging the father to return Brooklynne Enix to someone or somewhere safe.
"We'd certainly love to hear from him," Rausch said of Tyler Ennix.
Investigators said that officers were called to the Templeton Court condos in Fountain City to do a welfare check Wednesday after Kimberly Enix, 36, did not show up for work.
Around 2:18 p.m., they found Kimberly Enix dead inside her condominium, but her daughter, Brooklynne Enix, was no where to be found.
Investigators believe Brooklynne Ennix could be with her father, Tyler Enix, 36. He is 6'2", 205 pounds, and is bald. The two may be traveling in a 2011 black Impala,with Tennessee tag #G61-16U, that belonged to Kimberly Enix.
If you see her, you are advised to call 911.
KPD said Tyler Enix and Kimberly Enix were estranged, and they could not confirm if Tyler was living at the condo.
Knoxville police began Thursday morning's news conference recognizing the employees of the month.
