The 12-year-old Houston girl, E’minie Hughes, who triggered an Amber Alert, was found unharmed in Columbus, Texas, with a 27-year-old man, according to authorities. The Houston Police Department confirmed the girl’s discovery and mentioned that she was located in Columbus, approximately an hour and a half west of Houston.
Columbus police explained that officers attempted to detain 27-year-old Sirterryon Preston in connection with possessing the missing child. Preston tried to evade custody but was eventually captured and arrested, facing an evading charge. Further charges are pending as the investigation continues.
E’minie Hughes was taken to Texas Children’s Hospital for evaluation. The circumstances of her disappearance and whereabouts during the eight days remain undisclosed. Authorities from the FBI, Texas Department of Public Safety, Colorado County Sheriff’s Office, and Texas Parks and Wildlife assisted in the investigation.
The initial fear was that E’minie had been trafficked after using the adult dating app “Tagged.” The investigation is ongoing, and Houston police have not disclosed specific details about the case.
