Illinois Amber Alert: Blessing Aoci found safe, 5 arrested
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. - A missing 4-year-old girl who was the subject of an Amber Alert in Rock Island on Thursday morning has been found safe.
Rock Island police said Blessing Aoci was located and reunited with her mother, and that she would be evaluated by EMS.
Arrests Made After Amber Alert
What we know:
The incident happened around 6:07 a.m. in the 1300 block of 14th 1/2 Street when a brown Saturn Outlook was left running with Blessing in a car seat in the back.
About 14 minutes later, the vehicle was found near 8th Street and 15th Avenue, but Blessing was not inside.
Additionally, police said there was no car seat located in the vehicle when it was found.
Authorities issued an Amber Alert in Blessing's disappearance.
Officers canvassed the area for Blessing while several other police agencies deployed drones for the search.
A short time later, search efforts were focused on the blocks surrounding where the car was stolen, authorities said.
Blessing Located :
Blessing was found at 2:53 p.m. "nearby and in apparent good health," according to Rock Island police.
She was reunited with her mother before being transported to Unity Point Trinity for evaluation.
Several Arrests Made :
Rock Island police made several arrests in connection with this case, including four juveniles.
Jaron Bailey-Harris, 18, was arrested on charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Jaron Bailey-Harris, 18
These four juveniles were also apprehended:
- Juvenile #1, a 16-year old Hispanic male – kidnapping and possession of a stolen vehicle
- Juvenile #2, a 16-year old Black male – possession of a stolen vehicle
- Juvenile #3, a 15-year old Black female – possession of a stolen vehicle
- Juvenile #4, a 14-year old Black female – possession of a stolen vehicle
What they're saying:
"While this incident had the high potential to become an unbelievable tragedy, it ultimately resulted in the best possible outcome, due large in part to the incredibly cooperative efforts between the Quad City, State and Federal Law Enforcement agencies working side by side with concerned citizens and our media organizations. I’m proud to have seen what we can accomplish when we all work together toward a common goal, and you all have my most sincere gratitude," said Rock Island Police Chief Tim McCloud.
Vehicles Stolen :
In addition to this incident, police said there were several vehicles that were stolen overnight in the area, and many have not been recovered. Because of this, police said it is possible that Blessing was transported to another vehicle.
The vehicles that have not been recovered include:
- Gray Nissan Rogue with Virginia license plate: UVV4867; stolen out of Davenport around 5 a.m.
- Black Kia Sportage; stolen out of Rock Island around midnight
- Tan Chevy Malibu with Iowa license plate: MMU635; stolen out of Rock Island around 5:26 a.m.
- White Dodge Dart with Illinois license plate BG92693
The Source: Information from this article was provided by the Rock Island Police Department and Illinois State Police.