Kidnapped girl’s family releases statement after her safe return

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) –  The 6-year-old girl who was found alive after being kidnapped from her home yesterday afternoon is in good condition.  That’s according to the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators say the child was transported to New Hanover Regional Medical Center after she was found in the woods less than 2 miles from her home.

The family released a statement, thanking everyone for their help.

“We would first and foremost like to thank God, the police department, sheriff’s department and all the community that went out to search for her in the rain and on their own time,” it reads. “Thank you to our neighbors and friends and St. Mary’s church who were praying for her, and any others that were praying for her.”

The man charged with her kidnapping, Douglas Nelson Edwards, will make his first court appearance tomorrow.

Editor’s note: Previous versions of this story included the name of the girl involved, who was the subject of an Amber Alert. Due to the sex crime charges against her alleged abductor, WWAY has decided to remove her name and picture from our stories.