Amber Alert Canceled: Kidnapped 5-Year-Old Girl Found Safe in California

Amaya Meithof was reported missing from her residence at 2021 Lone Mountain #15, Carson City, Nevada, on Sunday morning, May 31, 2026.

Her mother, Crystal Rose, had allowed Christopher Meithof, Amaya's father, to stay overnight so he could spend time with their daughter.

However, when Crystal Rose awoke, Christopher and Amaya were gone.

After several hours of unsuccessful attempts to contact them, Crystal Rose immediately reported the incident to the Carson City Sheriff's Office.

The initial investigation revealed that Christopher's red Jeep Grand Cherokee was seen traveling south on Highway 395 past Old Clear Creek Road at 4:36 a.m.

Recognizing the urgency and potential danger, an Amber Alert was officially issued for Amaya Meithof on Monday morning, June 1, 2026.

This child abduction notification system, originating in the United States and created in 1996, is designed to quickly disseminate critical information to the public through various channels such as radio, television, and text messages.

The Amber Alert was canceled on Monday afternoon, June 1, 2026, after Amaya was found.

The discovery occurred around 3:30 p.m. local time in Lancaster, California.

The discovery of Amaya Meithof was the result of a collaborative effort from multiple law enforcement agencies.

At 2:15 p.m., the U.S. Marshal's Pacific Southwest Fugitive Task Force, the Los Angeles Division of Homeland Security Investigations, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Bureau successfully stopped a vehicle in Palmdale, California.

Amaya was found safe inside the vehicle.When Amaya was found, Christopher Meithof was not in the same location.

However, thanks to a quick tip, Christopher was tracked down and arrested at a residence near the location of the traffic stop.

This arrest occurred without incident, ending the search for the kidnapper.

Amaya Meithof was found in good condition and unharmed, although she is known to have common allergies.

Amaya is currently in the care of Palmdale Child Protective Services.

This agency will facilitate her safe return to her mother, Crystal Rose, in Nevada.

Christopher Meithof is currently being held at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Palmdale station, awaiting extradition to Nevada to face charges.

The vehicle used, a red 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee with Oregon license plate 576QNU, has also been seized as evidence.

The successful discovery of Amaya Meithof and the arrest of Christopher Meithof were due to the close coordination and cooperation between various law enforcement agencies.

The Carson City Sheriff's Office expressed its special appreciation for the assistance provided.

This collaboration demonstrates the importance of inter-agency synergy in handling child abduction cases.

Several agencies that played an active role in the investigation and safe recovery of Amaya included the U.S. Marshals' Pacific Southwest Fugitive Task Force.

Furthermore, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office's Homeland Security Investigations Division and the Major Crimes Bureau also played crucial roles.

They were directly involved in the traffic stop that led to Amaya's discovery.