Police in Illinois have revealed shocking news about a 4-year-old girl who went missing in January and was miraculously found after a nearly 9-hour manhunt.

The search commenced after a 9-1-1 call came in about a car being stolen that had a little girl inside. Hundreds of volunteers, officials from the FBI, surrounding law enforcement agencies, and many others searched for 4-year-old Blessing Aoci.

On Thursday, the Rock Island Police Chief Tim McCloud announced that she was safe at home the entire time.

Missing Illinois Girl Was Never Missing

In a press conference Thursday morning, Rock Island Police Chief Tim McCloud shocked us all when he gave us the news that Blessing Aoci, the 4-year-old girl who went missing following her mother's car being stolen on Jan. 16th, was safe at home the entire time.

Now, Blessing's mother, Princess Ilunga, has a warrant out for her arrest.

Illinois Girl Goes Missing Following Stolen Car

Rock Island Police Department via Facebook
Rock Island Police Department via Facebook
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On Thursday, Jan. 16th, at the Rock Island Police Department's request, the Illinois Amber Alert Notification System was activated as they searched for 4-year-old Blessing Aoci.

At approximately 6:07 a.m. that morning, a vehicle was stolen from the 1300 block of 14th 1/2 ST while it was left running with Aoci in a car seat in the back seat. The vehicle was located at approximately 6:24 a.m. in the area of 8th ST and 15th Avenue.

Kidnapping Charges Now Dropped

5 people were arrested in connection with the 'abduction' of Blessing. The kidnapping charges for a 16-year-old boy will be dropped Chief McCloud said.

Rock Island Police Department
Rock Island Police Department
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Jaron Bailey-Harris, 18 years of age, was arrested and charged with Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle.

Additionally, four juveniles were apprehended for the following charges:

  • 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

Warrant For Illinois Mother Filing False Police Report

Blessing’s mother, Princess Ilunga, now has a warrant out for her arrest for filing a false police report. While the car was, in fact, stolen, Ilunga lied and forced her seven children to lie to police officers, too.

Filing a false police report in Illinois is a Class 4 felony in Illinois can land a fine up to $25,000 and a minimum of 1 year in jail.

See the full press conference below:

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