Missing 4-Year-Old Found Safe
The search for little Rebecca Lewis spanned across five states before finally coming to an end on Monday afternoon in Memphis, Tennessee. Today the 4-year-old is expected to have a warm homecoming with family just days after being kidnapped from her Lakeland home.
Rebecca was spotted with 21-year-old West Wild Hogs at a Memphis hospital by an alert security guard and a nurse. The two were recognized after a nationwide search and an Amber Alert that began Saturday.
Police arrived to the hospital just as Hogs tried to drive out of the parking lot. Prior to the recovery of Rebecca, the two had been spotted on surveillance cameras at several locations since Saturday.
Hogs was arrested in Memphis and remained in jail Tuesday morning. He is expected to face a judge on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.
Rebecca Returns To Lakeland
The three-day search was nothing short of a nightmare for the family of Rebecca “Becky” Lewis. Their prayers were answered when they received the news that Becky was found safe in Memphis.
Now a new torture is setting in for Becky and her family, the anxious wait to her arrival back in Polk County. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office announced they expect Becky to be back in her hometown by Tuesday afternoon.
“When we can recover a baby, it’s a great day,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, per WFLA.
“The weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders. Now just go get her and bring her home to us,” said Becky’s grandmother through tears as she addressed members of the media.
As seen on video, Becky appeared to be in good health and great spirits in the care of Memphis Police Department.
There are many questions that still remain unanswered though? Why did Hogs, a family friend, take Becky? Where were they running to?
Throughout the weekend Becky’s family pleaded for her safe return. The family and the sheriff’s office credit Facebook to being a big contributor to Becky’s safe rescue. Since the initial AMBER Alert, Becky’d photo and story had been shared thousands of times by Facebook users and through various media outlets.
4-Year-Old Missing From Lakeland
LAKELAND, Fla.- There has been a possible sighting of the missing 4-year-old Polk County girl in Tennessee.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says there was a possible sighting of the girl triggering an AMBER Alert for Tennessee and Kentucky. An AMBER Alert still remains in effect for Rebecca Lewis in Florida and Georgia as well.
TBI said they extended the AMBER Alert to East Tennessee after the girl and the man she is believed to be with were possibly seen in the area of Cove Lake State Park in Campbell County, Tennessee- which is near Interstate 75 close to the Tennessee/Kentucky border.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, a park ranger reported seeing a man and a child matching Rebecca’s and the man known as Hog’s description between 10 to 11 p.m. Sunday night at the park.
Rebecca was last seen around 9 a.m. Saturday. Her 16-year-old sister saw her sleeping in her bed at the Lazy Dazy Retreat RV/Mobile Home on Highway 98 North in Lakeland. The sister went back to sleep and when she woke at 9:45 a.m. the little girl was gone.
The man investigators believe she is with is 31-year-old West Wild Hogs. Hogs is formerly known as Matthew Clark Pybus. He is considered a long-time family friend, but he has been out of the family’s lives for the past year or so. He showed up Friday to Rebecca’s grandmother’s house, Oma Mae Lewis, in Polk City out of the blue.
Hogs took off in his mother’s car which was reporter as stolen. Investigators say he is still driving a 2012 grey Nissan Versa 4-door with an Alabama handicapped plate: 4JL26.
After the AMBER Alert was issued, authorities say they saw Hogs and Lewis at a gas station in Forsythe, Georgia, just off of Interstate 75 around 6:30 p.m. Saturday. The surveillance images taken from the gas station security camera show the two together and Rebecca appears in good health.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Hogs and Rebecca or see the vehicle they are reported to be in, is urged to call 911.
Heartland Crime Stoppers is offering a $3,000 reward for information leading to the discovery and recovery of Rebecca Lewis. Anyone with information who wants to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward is asked to call 1-800-226-8477 or go to www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com.
For a web tip visit www.P3Tips.com.
