Riley Harper Bockes. Photo: Facebook

UPDATE: Brent Bockes has been arrested in Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Riley Bockes has been recovered safely.


ORIGINAL STORY

Minutes after a statewide Amber Alert was issued for a missing 3-year-old Sanford girl, Sanford Police reported the girl’s mother was found dead inside her home on Lee Avenue.

Police are searching for the girl’s father, Brent James Bockes, who they believe abducted his daughter, Riley Harper Bockes, and is driving a 2013 Toyota Avalon with license plate TJC-1491.

According to SPD Maj. Vinnie Frazer, Sanford Police responded to the home at 3927 Lee Avenue in response to a well-being check on Deana Michelle Bockes. Upon arrival, they found Deana Bockes dead inside the residence. No cause of death has been released, but police are investigating it as a homicide.

Riley Bockes, Deana Bockes and Brent Bockes. Photo: Facebook

Riley Bockes is described as a 3-year-old white female with blonde hair and blue eyes. Brent Bockes is described as a 50-year-old white male, 6-feet tall and weighing about 210 pounds. He has brown hair and blue eyes, a large scar on his left wrist, a tattoo across his stomach and a tattoo on his upper right arm.

Those with information regarding the incident or the search for Brent Bockes are asked to call Sanford Police immediately at (919) 777-1005 or at 911.