FBI: Missing young Molalla child found safe
The Molalla Police Department, in conjunction with the FBI and other partner agencies, said Saturday night they have recovered a sick 14-month-old child, Mariah Nichols, who vanished with her parents from a Molalla apartment complex last Wednesday.
Officers said the child is in the custody of a Department of Human Services caseworker and is receiving a medical evaluation.
The girl was found at a home in rural Clackamas County outside of Molalla, they said. Officers are interviewing her parents, and the case is still under investigation.
“We would like to thank all of the participating agencies, including the Milwaukie Police Department, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon State Police. We would also like to thank the media and the public for their tips and for posting the information on their Twitter and Facebook accounts,” the 7:40 p.m. Saturday update said.
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Earlier release:
The FBI and the Molalla Police Department asked for the public’s help Saturday in locating a sick 14-month-old child, Mariah Nichols.
Mariah disappeared Wednesday, April 10th with her parents from an apartment complex in Molalla, Oregon, as a Department of Human Services caseworker attempted contact.
FBI agents, Molalla police officers, and officers from other partner agencies are conducting door-to-door searches and interviews with residents in the area on Saturday afternoon and evening.
During a welfare visit on Wednesday morning, the parents agreed to turn the child over to DHS at a nearby urgent care clinic.
They did not go to the clinic, and when the caseworker re-attempted contact, the worker saw the family flee, authorities said.
The worker lost sight of the family. They have been missing since. DHS now has legal custody of the child.
The parents are Damien Lee Nichols, 37, and Dusty Ann Willman, 39.
Anyone who sees the child or the parents should call 9-1-1 or the Molalla Police Department Tip Line at (971) 255-7775. (Media: Note the new number).
We will be using the Twitter hashtag at #FindMariah. We ask that media and citizens throughout the state to send out the pictures and information through their Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Information is posted at www.fbi.gov/portland , the FBI Twitter account at @FBIPortland and on the Molalla Police Department’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Molalla-Police-Department/145391418862480?fref=ts
The FBI also has posted a downloadable flyer at http://www.fbi.gov/wanted
