Westfield baby sought in Amber Alert is found unharmed in Virginia; mother arrested

E-mail | Print 10/31/2012 4:07 PM

State Police

Cheryl E. Kozaczek

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By Sarah N. Mattero, Globe Correspondent

A 3-month-old Westfield girl who was allegedly abducted by her mother, who did not have legal custody of her, has been found unharmed in Emporia, Va., according to State Police.

An Amber Alert had been issued for the missing child, Gaebria Kozaczek, this morning after she was discovered to have been taken by her mother, Cheryl E. Kozaczek, 28, of Westfield, State Police said.

Virginia State Police stopped the gray 2004 Toyota Tacoma the mother was driving on Interstate 95 South around 2:50 p.m., and arrested Kozaczek, Massachusetts State Police said.

Kozaczek took off with the infant around 1 a.m. today, Kozaczek’s mother told police. The grandmother, who is the legal guardian of Gaebria, lives in the same house as Kozaczek and the baby.

The Amber Alert was issued this morning because there was fear for the child’s safety or well-being, authorities said.

No further information on Kozaczek’s arrest was immediately available.

Sarah N. Mattero can be reached at sarah.mattero@globe.com.