Kidnapped West Plains two-year-old found safe

UPDATE 9:29 A.M. — The West Plains Police Department (WPPD) says Joseph Raider has been taken into custody.

A release from WPPD says Joseph Raider was found at around 7 a.m. by a person in the West Plains area.

Joseph Raider is currently being held, and charges against him are pending, according to WPPD.

UPDATE 7:19 A.M. — The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) says two-year-old Paxton Raider has been found safe.

Original story:

WEST PLAINS, Mo. — The West Plains Police Department (WPPD) is asking for assistance in locating a two-year-old girl.

According to a release from WPPD, law enforcement is searching for two-year-old Paxton Raider, who was last seen in the 1700 block of Gibson in West Plains.

Paxton Raider was last seen wearing a pink and tan shirt and shorts with Snoopy on them. She is a white female, with blonde, curly hair that is about shoulder length in the back. She has brown eyes, is around 33 inches tall and weighs approximately 25 pounds. Paxton Raider was not wearing any shoes at the time of her alleged kidnapping.

Police say they are also searching for the child’s father, Joseph Raider, who is accused of taking the child.

Joseph Raider, 30, was last seen wearing a green ball cap, black shirt and blue jeans. He is a white male, with brown hair and brown eyes. He is about five feet, 10 inches tall and weighs around 145 pounds, and is known to live near Birch Tree.

WPPD said officers were called to the 1700 block of Gibson at around 9 p.m. on July 23 for a kidnapping in progress. The caller, Paxton Raider’s mother, told police Joseph Raider had taken the child and was intoxicated.

The caller said Joseph Raider had initially tried to leave in a vehicle before fleeing on foot with Paxton Raider.

Police say Joseph Raider may be a danger to himself and/or Paxton Raider. Anyone with information as to their whereabouts is asked to call WPPD at 417-256-2244.

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