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Wilkes-Barre Kidnapping Victim’s Family Reacts After Being Reunited

WILKES-BARRE — The family of a girl kidnapped in Wilkes-Barre is speaking about the moment they were reunited with their daughter. The kidnapping sparked ...

WILKES-BARRE -- The family of a girl kidnapped in Wilkes-Barre is speaking about the moment they were reunited with their daughter. The kidnapping sparked an Amber Alert—and the 16 year old, Jenea Patterson, was missing for more than 24 hours.

“I was totally relieved!” James Patterson, Jenea’s father, said of the chilling moments when he was reunited with his 16-year-old daughter.  Police say she was kidnapped Thursday night in front of her home on Eastview Drive in Wilkes-Barre, prompting police to send out an Amber Alert.

Early Saturday morning police found Patterson, and arrested her ex-boyfriend, 21-year-old Walter Lewis.

“That's a parent's nightmare, when a child gets snatched! It was just thousands, thousands relief off my shoulder,” Patterson said.

Police say they found Lewis at a parking garage at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. After a brief foot chase they arrested him. Police also found Patterson inside the garage unharmed. Her family says she's now safe.

“It's gonna be hard for my baby girl because I’m gonna be on her! I'm gonna be on her,” Patterson said.

Court papers show Patterson and Lewis were inside Wilkes-Barre General Hospital in a dayroom watching TV for most of the day Friday, all while state, local and federal authorities were trying to find her. Patterson and her mother were both too emotional to talk on camera, but the family says they're glad Jenea is safe. Now, they're working to keep it that way.

Lewis remains locked up in Luzerne County Jail on gun and kidnapping charges.

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