Missing 3-year-old girl found safe as father is charged with killing his wife

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (TCD) -- A missing 3-year-old girl from North Carolina was located in Tennessee on Wednesday and her father was taken into custody for allegedly killing his wife.

The Sanford Police Department issued an Amber Alert for Riley Harper Bockes Wednesday. She was believed to have been taken by her father, Brent James Bockes, in a burgundy 2013 Toyota Avalon from her residence on Lee Avenue. Sanford Police said Riley’s mother, Deana Michelle Bockes, was found dead inside the home. Her death was ruled a homicide, but no additional information was given.

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office announced their deputies and officers from the Murfreesboro Police Department arrested Brent Bockes at a local motel around midnight. The 50-year-old was taken into custody and could face first-degree murder charges as well as robbery and theft.

The statement said Brent and Riley Bockes were involved in a car crash Wednesday evening on Interstate 24. Brent allegedly "fled with the child" following the collision and investigators learned the car in the accident was the same as the one described in the Amber Alert.

Riley was reportedly not injured, but a Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office photo shows Brent’s arm in a sling. The Sheriff’s Office also shared a picture of Riley eating pizza on a couch following her rescue. She will reportedly be returned to family members.

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