Social media helps local police department with amber alert

An amber alert was sent out Monday evening after a three-year-old was taken by a 30-year-old woman in Worcester County.

Details are still scarce and police are sifting through what they know, but we can report that the child is safe and it's all thanks to one person, the police alert, and social media.

Social media and modern technology are playing a major role when it comes to solving crimes and on Monday night folks all over the peninsula and state were reminded of just how powerful it can be.

"It was late last night, I was in Baltimore County in Catonsville and the alert came off on my cell phone," says Marty Powers.

Another resident, Patrick Guinan from York, Pennsylvania says, "As soon as I got the amber alert I was just obviously concerned but after that I was actually grateful that everybody could be reached with the amber alert on the Iphone."

An amber alert went out to the entire state and region about a three-year-old, who had reportedly been abducted. Shortly after social media exploded with folks sharing the information all over Facebook and Twitter.

"It was everywhere in the county and I mean were a couple hours away from Worcester County where the incident occurred."

The alert was also the reason the child was found and is now safe and sound.

"The person that took the child got the amber alert also, so as soon as they heard it they stopped and they realized that 'hey this is about us' and they immediately contacted the law enforcement up in delaware," explains Lt. Edward Schreier of the Worcester County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office also says social media helps them end what could get worse, situations like Monday night's Amber Alert.

"Social media is great not only because we are able to find the child last night quickly and kind of get all the facts together but the information coming in from people that want to help us and the community is fantastic," adds Lt. Schreier.

And the people that are able to share it..think its a great way to help.

"Well certainly the outreach getting to people is an efficient way to you know look for kids and things of that, so I think it's a great way to reach out to the public," explains Guinan.

The sheriff's office tells us they are still investigating Monday night's incident, which they are saying could just be a civil custody issue.

They are working with the Department of Social Services as well as Anne Arundel County to make sure they find the best outcome for the child.