Four Children Found Safe After Riverdale Kidnapping; Suspect Still at Large
Four children who were kidnapped early Saturday morning in Riverdale, Illinois, have been located safely, authorities confirmed. Police are continuing their search for the suspect, identified as 29-year-old Austin Bell.
Incident and Amber Alert Issued
According to Riverdale police, the kidnapping occurred around 1:30 a.m. in the 13600-block of Lowe Avenue. Investigators said Bell took a silver 2010 Acura MDX that did not belong to him. Four children were inside the vehicle at the time: a 10-year-old girl, an 8-year-old boy, a 7-year-old boy, and a 7-year-old girl.
Police stated that Bell is not the father of the children. Following the abduction, authorities issued an Amber Alert for the missing children and the vehicle, which carried an Illinois license plate reading FE 60619.
Children Located; Medical Evaluation Underway
Later Saturday, officials confirmed that all four children had been found. They were taken for medical evaluations as a precaution. Authorities did not immediately disclose the location where the children were recovered.
Suspect Description and Ongoing Search
Austin Bell remains at large. Police described him as 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 215 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing black jogging pants, a black varsity jacket with white stitching, and black and white gym shoes.
It is not yet clear if police have located the vehicle involved in the incident. Law enforcement officials continue to investigate and are urging anyone with information to contact Riverdale Police at 708-841-2203 or dial 911.
