NOTE: The video above is from Wednesday when the Amber Alert was still active.
TRINITY COUNTY, Texas (KETK) – Trinity County Sheriff Woody Wallace said on Thursday the 8-year-old at the center of an Amber Alert was found safe at a hotel in Colorado.
Law enforcement began investigating the family on Monday. The sheriff said they received a request to conduct a welfare check on the child. A caller reportedly told police the child had stated illegal activity was happening at the house.
Authorities said the child had not been back to school since she made the outcry. The family also tried to withdraw the child from school.
The sheriff’s office contacted family members of the child. Law enforcement said Charles Estep, the girl’s biological mother’s boyfriend, tried to leave the child at a family member’s house in San Jacinto County but was told ‘no.’ Then, he allegedly left with the child, and she was last seen in Trinity County.
Law enforcement executed a search warrant at the child’s house, and it appeared the three people left in a hurry.
The sheriff’s office said they eventually issued an Amber Alert, and they learned the child’s mother had family in Colorado. Authorities said a family member in Colorado told them the child and her parents had stopped by but then left.
Haven Barker, Charles Estep and Tamara Barker were later found at a Colorado hotel.
“Thankfully, the child was found safe and unharmed,” Wallace said.
Estep was arrested for a Texas parole violation.
CPS considered several factors and left the child with Tamara. Authorities are still investigating this case to ensure the child continues to be safe.
The sheriff also thanked everyone who helped search for the child.
UPDATE (March 9) – 8-year-old Haven Barker has been found, DPS reported.
DPS has not yet given official word on details surrounding the case, but the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office confirmed on Thursday morning that Barker was found alive in Colorado.
The Amber Alert was issued on Wednesday afternoon, with officials saying Barker was last seen the day before at 8 a.m. She was believed to be with her biological mother’s boyfriend, Charles “Chaz” Estep and possibly with her mother, Tamara Barker.
Below was the flyer for the Amber Alert:
