Maryland state police stock photo — Maryland State Police Stock Photo

CECIL COUNTY, MD — The Maryland State Police, in coordination with the FBI and New Castle County Police, are leading a homicide investigation after the body of a missing 3-year-old child was recovered in Cecil County.

An Amber Alert was initially issued Tuesday evening in Delaware for 3-year-old Nola after her mother reported that the child had been kidnapped. According to police, the mother told authorities that she pulled over on Gender Road around 7:15 p.m. to comfort her upset daughter when an unknown white male, armed with a handgun, approached the vehicle and abducted Nola.

The suspect allegedly fled in a dark-colored SUV driven by a white female, according to the false report.

The report prompted an intensive, overnight investigation by the New Castle County Division of Police Criminal Investigations Unit and the FBI. However, detectives later determined that the mother’s initial account of the abduction was false.

“Detectives determined the initial account of the incident given by the mother was false,” New Castle County Police stated in a release. “The Amber Alert is now canceled, and there is no danger to the public.”

Investigation now classified as homicide

Following the discovery of the child’s body in Cecil County, Maryland State Police have taken over the investigation, which is now being treated as a homicide case. Positive identification of the remains is pending.

Authorities have not released further details regarding how the child died or any potential suspects in the case. Law enforcement agencies continue to work together as the investigation remains active.

The Maryland State Police Office of Media Communications is handling all media inquiries related to the case.

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