SHAKOPEE, Minn. — A toddler reported abducted and missing in Shakopee has been found safe, sheriff's officials confirmed early Wednesday.
The child's non-custodial mother, 25-year-old Zenitra Zaphorah Forester, has been charged with kidnapping.
Law enforcement said the 9-month-old boy was taken from protective custody at the Scott County Government Center shortly after 12:30 p.m. Tuesday by Forester. According to the Scott County Sheriff's Office, Forester has known family and other acquaintances in the Twin Cities metro area.
A criminal complaint filed in county court stated that Forester had a scheduled visitation with the child on Tuesday at the Scott County Human Services, located at the government center in downtown Shakopee.
During the visit, Forester was allowed to hold the boy. However, she ran out of the room "bear hugging the child" and fled the building, according to the complaint.
Human Services employees chased after her but after several blocks, they "lost sight" of Forester and the child.
Multiple law enforcement agencies launched a search for the mother and son and located both during overnight hours.
Forester and the boy were found in Hager City, Wisconsin just after 5 a.m. Wednesday morning by the Pierce County Sheriff's Office.
Forester is currently awaiting extradition back to Minnesota.
Child protection workers took the boy to St. Paul Children’s Hospital.
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