LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — In a significant development, Lake County deputies have reported that two sisters, five-year-old Tillie and one-year-old Natalia Williams, who had gone missing from their foster home in Sorrento, have been found safe in Louisiana. The girls' mother, Dixie Williams, has been taken into custody on kidnapping charges.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office announced that authorities in Louisiana successfully recovered Tillie and Natalia on Friday. Details regarding the circumstances of their recovery and the apprehension of their mother have not been disclosed.
Dixie Williams, now facing two counts of kidnapping, had lost custody of her daughters about a year and a half ago. The reasons behind this loss of custody have not been specified by the authorities.
The disappearance of the sisters had triggered a statewide Amber Alert after they were reported missing from their foster home between Wednesday night and Thursday morning. The alert and subsequent search efforts culminated in their safe recovery and the arrest of their mother.
While the Lake County Sheriff's Office has not released further information on the case, the safe recovery of Tillie and Natalia brings a measure of relief to the community and all involved in the search. The investigation into this incident is ongoing, and additional details may emerge as the case progresses.
The situation underscores the complexities and sensitive nature of child custody cases and the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of children in foster care. The collaboration between state authorities and law enforcement across state lines played a crucial role in this positive outcome.