Updated: Three-Year-Old Alabama Girl Safely Returned From Mexico After International Kidnapping

A three-year-old Alabama girl who was allegedly kidnapped by her mother and taken across international borders has been safely returned home, thanks to the coordinated efforts of U.S. and Mexican authorities and the assistance of the Department of Homeland Security.

Representative Barry Moore (R-AL1) confirmed on Saturday afternoon that little Kionni, of Baldwin County, was finally reunited with her family after a week-long ordeal that began in Orange Beach. “We witnessed a miracle today,” Moore posted on social media. “Three-year-old Kionni from Baldwin County is back safely from Mexico and reunited with her family.”

ALPolitics.com reached out to Moore’s office for a statement, and Rep. Moore responded by saying:

"Three-year old Kionni arrived back in the United States today and has been reunited with her family in Baldwin County, and I couldn't be more proud of the work Team Moore did to help make this happen. 

When my team heard about this situation, they immediately went to work with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Marshals, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Baldwin County Sheriffs Office to make sure she was brought home safely. Heather and I are continuing to pray for Kionni and her family and we hope everyone across Alabama will join us."

According to court records and a detailed report from FOX10 News, the case began when Hailey Harris, Kionni’s mother, arrived at the home of the child’s father, Bryce Haugen, on September 25. Police were called during a custody dispute, and both parties agreed Harris would have the child for 48 hours under court supervision. Instead, Haugen says Harris drove straight to Pensacola International Airport and boarded a flight to San Diego—continuing on into Mexico with Kionni.

“I had no clue she was going to be taking my daughter to Mexico,” Haugen told FOX10. “The most important thing to me is just getting my daughter back on U.S. soil.”

Federal investigators later used Harris’s cellphone data to locate the pair. Messages sent from her phone claimed she was in Foley, Alabama, but GPS tracking showed she was actually across the border. Homeland Security agents traced her to a residence in Mexico, where Harris was arrested and charged with international parental kidnapping. She has since been extradited to the U.S. to face federal charges.

Meanwhile, the Mexican government initially refused to release Kionni, citing international custody procedures. Photos shared with Haugen showed his daughter was safe and cared for while officials worked through diplomatic channels to bring her home. “She is happy, she is content, she is fed, and she is safe,” Haugen said.

Kionni’s return was finalized this week with the assistance of U.S. officials and DHS. Harris is scheduled to appear in federal court in Atlanta on the kidnapping charge.

Rep. Moore praised law enforcement and federal agencies for their coordination and compassion throughout the case. “This little girl’s safe return shows what’s possible when people in government do what’s right and put families first,” he said.

UPDATE 10/5, 2:50 PM: ALPolitics.com has been told by a confidential source that Kionni’s mother kidnapped the child and transported her to Mexico with the intention of exchanging the child to a cartel as payment for her current boyfriend’s debt. The boyfriend is reportedly an illegal alien, and no other information as to his location or search/arrest status is known.

If true, this report could add charges of human trafficking to those the mother is already facing.

ALPolitics.com has also been told that the family has requested privacy at this time, and we will be honoring that request.