MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A 12-year-old North Carolina girl reported missing since last week was found Tuesday in Iowa, authorities said.Des Moines police found Jodie Collie (search) of Rocky Mount at the city's bus station shortly after 8 p.m. She had called her grandfather, who called the FBI, which notified police in Des Moines. She was by herself and unharmed, officials said.
"The hughest weight has been lifted off my shoulders," said the girl's mother, Kim Baker. "All the prayers I've been praying have been answered. She's safe and she'll be back soon.
"I think we'll all be fighting to see who hugs her first. I don't think I'll let her go for a couple of hours."
Authorities issued warrants for Phillip Denkler (search), 27, charging him with felony child abduction and probation violation. Denkler is a registered sex offender who served a prison sentence for taking indecent liberties with a child.
Police in Des Moines said there was no sign of Denkler at the bus station.
Collie was taken to a hospital to be examined, but her condition was not available late Tuesday.
Des Moines Police Sgt. Brian Vance said he was told there were no signs of physical injury."Of course, she was emotionally distraught at this time," Vance said.
The girl told officers she had been dropped off at the bus station. Police put out an alert for the Hyundai Sonata in which she and Denkler may have been traveling.
Collie and Denkler apparently had talked on the telephone for months. Baker said she knew of Denkler, but no one in the family was aware of his criminal record or that he had been in touch with her daughter.
Authorities issued an Amber Alert (search) after Collie was reported missing.
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