Lela Black: Kentucky girl, 5, 'located safely' in less than a day after an Amber Alert was issued for her

PRINCETON, KENTUCKY: A five-year-old girl has been found by the authorities after an Amber Alert was issued for her disappearance. In just less than a day after Kentucky State Police declared Lela Black as missing, law enforcement officials confirmed in a post shared on X on Monday, January 29, that she had been “located safely.”

Lela was with her biological father, Byron Black, 42, who was arrested and taken into the custody in connection with the death of her mother, Kelly Black, also 42, police said. According to a news release, Kelly was found dead at her home in Princeton, Kentucky on Sunday, January 28, after local police were called to conduct a wellness check.  

Lela had been living in the Caldwell County city of Princeton, Kentucky, which is in the western part of the state. 

Byron Black left the crime scene before the authorities arrived

Police said that Kelly was the victim of a murder, prompting an investigation that resulted in an arrest warrant for her husband, Byron. "KSP Troopers and Detectives responded to the scene and learned Kelly Black is the victim of a murder," the release read in part.

Police said Byron left the scene prior to authorities arriving at the residence. According to NBC News, the Amber Alert said that an investigation later determined that Kelly died from a gunshot wound to the back of her head.

Lela Black's father was suspected to be 'armed and dangerous'

In the initial Amber Alert shared on the Kentucky State Police's official Facebook page on Monday, January 29, authorities said Lela was believed to be with her father and he was suspected to be "armed and dangerous." As per NBC News, prior to the issuing of the Amber Alert, Byron and Lela had not been heard from since January 26. 

Authorities also provided details on Byron Black and Lela Black

Investigators suggested that Byron and Lela could be in a white 1996 Chevrolet Silverado with California license plate 5J83779. Its paint is peeling off the hood.

Lela is described as White with brown hair and brown eyes. She stands three feet and six inches tall and weighs 40 pounds. Byron Black is described as White with brown hair and brown eyes. He stands an even six feet tall and weighs 180 pounds. “Anyone with information regarding this should contact KSP Post 2 at 270-676-3313,” Kentucky State Police wrote.

Man sentenced for stabbing ex-girlfriend seven times cutting an artery in front of her kidnapped four-year-old niece in car

Meaww previously reported that a man was sentenced on Friday, January 12 for a terrifying attack in which he stabbed his ex-girlfriend as part of a ruse and drove off while her four-year-old niece remained inside the vehicle.

Jonathan Moises Wuanloxten-Hidalgo will have to serve two consecutive terms of three years to life for a count each of attempted murder and attempted kidnapping, according to Salt Lake City Fox affiliate KSTU.

While stating in a victim impact statement, Hidalgo's ex girlfriend said, "I feel unsafe wherever I am." She added, “I cannot sleep well at night because I always dream about what happened in this incident.”

"The amount of blood loss that [the victim] suffered, it is frankly amazing that she is here today to speak in front of the court,” prosecutor Blithe Cravens reportedly said as per Law and Crime.

Wuanloxten-Hidalgo stabbed the woman six or seven times, according to the authorities, severing an artery. If the defendant is granted parole, his deportation to Venezuela is imminent. For context, he is not a citizen of the United States.

According to Salt Lake City radio station KSL, police alleged that Wuanloxten-Hidalgo enticed the woman on December 9, 2022, in Midvale, Utah, by asking for a ride. As per police records, she stated at the time that they had broken up a month prior, and he "has been stalking her ever since." On the evening of the incident, he wouldn't get out of the car, she said.