A family has been reunited with their child after an Amber Alert Thursday morning.
According to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, 8-year-old Layken Stokes was returned home safely after she went missing Wednesday night.
In a joint effort with the Texas Department of Public Safety Texas Rangers and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with Taylor Police Department and Williamson County Constables Pct. 4, Sheriff’s Deputies were able to find Stokes safe.
“The circumstances surrounding the runaway led us to seek assistance from our law enforcement partners. We approach matters involving missing children with utmost seriousness, erring on the side of caution,” said Commander John Foster of Williamson County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division.
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigations partnered to find missing 8-year-old Layken Stokes Wednesday, Jan. 31 and Thursday, Feb. 1. Photo by Hunter Dworaczyk
Deputies were dispatched at 8:20 p.m. Wednesday night to the 5000 block of Farm to Market 973 in Taylor in response to a missing person at risk involving an 8-year-old child.
Late Thursday morning, a rancher, about two miles from the child’s home, spotted her in the field and called 911.
“He noticed his cattle were spooked,” Sheriff Mike Gleason said. “He looked and saw a girl matching the description in what I would call a ‘haul-off trailer’, or a trailer of some sort.”
Gleason said authorities first sent a drone to keep track of Stokes.
Later, deputies surrounded and moved in on Stokes, Gleason said.
Upon thorough investigation, it was determined that the child had not been abducted, but had voluntarily left her home.
Gleason said they do not know why Stokes voluntarily left her home at the time, but they are continuing to investigate.
“The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office reaffirms its commitment to prioritizing the safety and well-being of the community, especially in cases involving vulnerable individuals like an 8-year-old child,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a press release. “The successful resolution of this incident underscores the importance of swift and cooperative action in ensuring the security of our community members.”
A rancher who knew 8-year-old Layken Stokes was missing ultimately found her after noticing his cattle were spooked. Photo by Hunter Dworaczyk
