NESCOPECK -- An Amber Alert issued in our area for a 3-year-old girl ended later in the day in New York City.
Just before noon, state police in Luzerne County issued an Amber Alert for a 3-year-old girl who was last seen at her home in Nescopeck.
The suspect took the child under circumstances that led police to believe the toddler was in danger.
Police found her in New York City after they say the child's father took her from their home without explanation.
State police say Robert Byrne took off with his daughter Ava early Friday morning, prompting a multi-state search for the girl.
Troopers say Byrne drove off with Ava from their home on Vine Street in Nescopeck.
The toddler's mom tells Newswatch 16 that Byrne has been increasingly angry over the past few weeks.
She believes he may be suffering side effects from a new medication he's been taking, and says his behavior has been uncontrollable.
A neighbor described hearing him argue with the toddler's mother last night.
"It woke my daughter up, so I tried to come down and diffuse the situation. She said that he hit her and tried to leave so I tried to stall him."
But he took off with Ava in a silver Hyundai and headed to New York City where he has family. That's where authorities say they captured them after someone noticed the car from the Amber Alert and told police about it.
A viewer snapped photos of the vehicle in Manhattan and a photo of an officer holding Ava unharmed.
Ava's mom is relieved her daughter is safe.
"Oh, my gosh, the best feeling in the world that she's fine ,she's alive, she's going to come back to me," said Morgan Barela
Robert Byrne is now in custody. Authorities expect to arraign him in Pennsylvania Saturday.
