TCSO addresses concerns over recent AMBER Alert

A 4-year-old girl is safe Thursday night. Wednesday, a regional "amber alert" was issued for Katelyn Ramirez after investigators said her father abducted her. According to TCSO, Eric Ramirez did this against a court order. He is now in police custody.

The events causing a stir in the community.

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"She is ok, she is safe, she is unharmed, she is now in the custody of child protective services," said Capt. Craig Smith with the Travis county sheriff's office. Authorities found her safe with her father Eric Ramirez Thursday afternoon. The ordeal catching neighbors by surprise. “wonderful people, you couldn't ask for nicer people,” said Darlene Stevens who lived nearby.

The sheriff's office saying the amber alert was key in locating the Katelyn. "We did start immediately receiving tips and information on their location," said Smith. While she was found safe, the way the sheriff's office went about issuing the alert is drawing attention.

“One of the questions was why did it take so long to put the amber alert out,” said Smith. Smith said when Katelyn Ramirez was first reported missing they were already following leads. "To be honest Katelyn’s well fair was our number one concern, we conducted the investigation and put the alert out when we thought was best to give us the opportunity to get Katelyn back in a safe manor,” said Smith.

Another issue, we found on social media, is many people did not receive an alert.

There are different kinds of amber alerts. One of them is regional, which is what they issued earlier this week. It's where they send the alert out through local TV stations like FOX 7 and radio in order to get the word out to nearby counties.

Another is a statewide, this one sends the alert straight to your phone.

Both having different requirements to meet before being issued, with statewide being stricter.

“We want to make sure that it's a very serious offense because it's literally trying to alert everyone to help us out so the requirements do become a little bit stricter," said Smith.

Travis County is working with Williamson County on this case.

Eric Ramirez is being charged with interference of child custody.

They may also file more charges as the investigation continues.