Alisa Maier (found)

UPDATE: Investigators say a person of interest in the Alisa Maier abduction shot himself yesterday when authorities closed in on him.  Police were tipped off to convicted sex offender Paul S. Smith’s whereabouts when a relative told them where he was staying.  Reports are conflicting, but now indicate that Smith has died at the hospital.  Investigators are searching for physical evidence to positively link Smith to Alisa’s abduction.  More details to come on this case…

Stranger abductions are not as common as we think, but when they happen it feels like the entire nation knows about it through the news and social media. If there is a car description, an Amber Alert is usually attached to the announcement along with a suspect description. That was the case with little Alisa Maier from Missouri. She is only 4-years-old and investigators say she was snatched from her front yard two days ago by a stranger. Alisa was playing in her front yard with her brother when the abduction occurred, and their mother jumped into her vehicle and tried to chase the abductor down. The FBI from St. Louis and investigators from surrounding counties quickly joined forces to create a command post and follow up with every lead to help find Alisa. Members of the community met at the local Elk’s Lodge and volunteered their time going door-to-door passing out fliers with Alisa’s face and information on them. The first 48 hours in an abduction are the most crucial. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, since 1997 the Amber Alert program is credited with the safe recovery of 502 children. There are 120 active amber plans in check across the country.