Police in Massachusetts issued an Amber Alert after a 4-year-old girl was reportedly taken by her mother from a home in Springfield. Brandee Arnold, 32, now faces charges after allegedly kidnapping her daughter, Cortana Goncalves, Thursday morning. According to police, Arnold does not have custody of the child but is allowed supervised visits.
Arnold allegedly took Cortana from a home in Indian Orchard around 8:30 a.m., and an Amber Alert went out shortly after. The mother reportedly has a criminal history and police were concerned for the young girl's welfare. She was found unharmed around noon on Thursday, and the mother was taken into custody. She has made claims on social media that the incident was a misunderstanding.
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Police quickly jumped into action.
Western Mass News reported that the pursuit began as soon as Cortana was reported missing. Police enacted the Amber Alert, and police from across the state started their search.
"The mom took the 4-year-old and then immediately our officers began looking for her utilizing different cell phones, utilizing the state police and different agencies, and were able to catch her on the Mass. Pike camera, as well as some other locations via her phone, ultimately leading to where she was located in Cheshire," Springfield Police spokesman Ryan Walsh said.
Cortana was not harmed.
CBS News reported that Arnold made homicidal and suicidal threats in the past, and police needed to find the pair as soon as possible. Police located Cortana and her mom in a trailer park on Fifth Avenue in Cheshire. Arnold was taken into custody by the Springfield police.
Arnold has a troubled history.
According to Western Mass News, Arnold's criminal history caused concern to police, who were fearful things could take a tragic turn.
"You just want to make sure that child is brought home safe. The mom has some prior charges of reckless endangerment of a child, so it's not just a regular custodial issue where you might just be taking your child away. There was definitely some concerns there and when the troopers were able to get out there and locate the child and she was healthy and safe, that's a huge sigh of relief for everyone involved," Walsh explained.
The accused mother took to Facebook to plead her case.
Arnold wrote that she has custody of Cortana and wants people to leave her alone.
"Stop please I did not take my kid!" she asserted. "I have full custody of my child!!! She's fine and all of these NEG comments and messages of people who don't KNOW are NOT NEEDED!"
Some took pity on the mother.
"People make mistakes and bad choices , we all have our own issues and things we are going through," someone wrote. "No one is to judge. Just glad the child is safe and let's all prayer things will be solved in a proper manner for both child , mother and father , sometimes things aren't always what it seems.. but how can someone get the help they need if everyone is throwing shade. I know Brandee and I know that people have a back story in life. Sometimes we make bad choices or we come from a rough upbringing either or that doesn't make a person overall bad , I will say a prayer for her and her and I hope things get better and everyone gets the help they need. People deserve chances and kids need their parents."
Another person wrote: "I know one thing for sure. We do not know all the story. Only heard one part. I hope for the sake of all involved that all things get squared away, especially for the child. This reported arrest must have been very traumatic for her. I'll be saying prayers for you all."
"So everyone is so perfect and they don't make mistakes , just because someone loses custody of their kids doesn't mean their overall a bad person," another comment reads. "Stop bashing someone and understand that some people have issues and need help and can't even help themselves or see the wrong they do. She can always do better and work on herself but with the right people in her corner to make things right for her and her kids."
"Let me guess you're a great member of society who does nothing wrong," one person wrote. "You simply go to work and come home to be a mom. The state , cops , law in general just don't like you right?"
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Others think there is more to the story.
Some posted screenshots to a story on TB Daily News Daily that published documents alleging Arnold committed assault and battery on a household/family member in 2022.
"So seeing as how you don't have custody of your child, what makes anyone think it's ok for you to just uproot her whenever you want?" one reader questioned. "You can type words to make others believe otherwise all while laughing your ass off behind the keyboard knowing damn well you're lying, if that's in fact what u did. Your child was taken away for a reason, a reason that makes you untrustworthy apparently. Show us the court documents to back up your statement about having full custody, otherwise your words are just and only that– words."
WWLP reported Arnold was due in court Friday for arraignment on charges of kidnapping of a child by a parent or relative and reckless endangerment of a child.
