Amber Alert cancelled when five-year-old girl found safe

(8/06/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- An Amber Alert has been cancelled, after a five-year-old girl was found safe.

The Houston Police Department says Hailey Echols, 5, was playing outside a church located at 2217 Theta in southeast Houston on Saturday evening when she was taken by her biological mother, Heidi Lirette, who does not have legal custody. The girl's maternal grandmother had custody of her.

According to HPD spokesperson Gabriel Ortiz, Hailey was found at about 2:30pm today in Hot Springs County in Arkansas. She's in good condition. Both parents were with Hailey and they were arrested.

Steven Echols, Hailey's father, and Lirette have been charged with interfering with child custody. They are awaiting extradition to Houston.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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