SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - A 5-year-old girl who was reportedly abducted in Rochester, N.Y., by her non-custodial mother was found in San Diego late Friday.
Police said 32-year-old Renee Stong fled from New York with her daughter, Leilani "Lily" Ortiz, Wednesday, according to ABC-affiliate WHAM in Rochester, N.Y.
Without authorization, Stong reportedly picked her daughter up from Exploration Elementary Charter School for Science and Technology, took her to the Greater Rochester International Airport and flew to Detroit, where the two stayed overnight before flying to San Diego.
#RPD says Lilly Ortiz, 5, has been found safe. A clerk at a Motel 6 in #SanDiego recognized her mom Rene Stong from a flier and called police. Stong is in custody. Ortiz is with San Diego Social Services. #Rochester pic.twitter.com/wI0BUillnx
— Kelsie Smith (@KelsieSmithWHAM) November 18, 2017
San Diego Police (SDPD) confirmed Stong does not have legal custody of her daughter.
A clerk at the Motel 6 located at 1546 2nd Avenue in San Diego recognized Stong when she checked into the hotel just before 9 p.m. SDPD said they had notified local hotels of the incident. Police say Stong did not have any ties to San Diego.
Stong was arrested without incident and her daughter was found safe, police said.
Stong is currently being held at the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility waiting for extradition back to New York.
WHAM reports Lily is currently in the care of San Diego Social Services and her family has been notified.
