What to Know
- The Amber Alert that was activated Thursday for the missing 12-year-old Hudson Falls girl who was last seen in Staten Island was canceled
- Officials have one person in custody in connection with the disappearance of Malaya Johnson, who vanished from her hometown Wednesday
- New York State Police said Friday afternoon she had been located safely, though there was no information on her whereabouts
The Amber Alert that was activated Thursday for the missing 12-year-old Hudson Falls girl who was last seen in Staten Island was canceled Friday afternoon. The news follows the arrest of a 19-year-old man who was charged with kidnapping in connection to the missing girl.
According to the Associated Press, New York State Police said Malaya Johnson, who vanished from her hometown Wednesday, had been in touch with her family and says she's "OK", though there were no further details on her whereabouts.
Officials in Hudson Falls said in a Friday morning press conference that authorities have not had any further information as to Johnson’s whereabouts since 8:30 p.m. Thursday when she was spotted in Staten Island by the pier.
Authorities had issued an Amber Alert for Johnson Thursday afternoon, warning that whoever took her may be heading to New York City. Johnson was seen getting into a red, two-door Ford Mustang in her hometown, they say.
The person taken into custody was identified early Friday as 19-year-old George Torres of Staten Island; he was taken to Washington County late Thursday for questioning.
According to Washington County authorities he was charged with kidnapping in the second degree and is being held without bail.
According to authorities say that they believe Johnson and Torres met online.
The Post-Star of Glens Falls reports Johnson used social media to connect with him and that she arranged for Torres to pick her up after school on Wednesday, which is when she was reported missing.
"The child is still missing and believed to be in danger," New York State Police tweeted around 10:20 a.m. Friday.
Late Thursday, police said they found the red, two-door Ford Mustang with Pennsylvania license plate No. KCG8950 they were searching for in New York City in connection with the Amber Alert, but the exact location was not immediately known.
Authorities say that a second person was in the Mustang when they located the vehicle, but there are no plans of identifying that second individual publicly at this point since he has cooperated with police and they are still unsure of his involvement in the case.
Authorities say Torres left Johnson at the Staten Island Ferry Thursday; it wasn't immediately clear if he had an attorney who could comment.
Officials had said Johnson was taken near Oak Street in Hudson Falls around 3 p.m. Wednesday "under circumstances that lead police to believe that she is in imminent danger of serious physical injury and/or death."
Johnson is described as being a black girl with long, brown hair and brown eyes who stands at around 5 feet and weighs around 115 pounds. She was last seen wearing light red jeans and a white tank top.
