JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Police from Florida to Ohio continue to search for a 6-year-old Jacksonville girl who they believe was abducted by her mentally ill mother during a supervised visit late Friday.
An Amber Alert was issued Friday night for Onnika Fisher, as authorities are concerned about her safety because of 39-year-old Charity Chatman's history of unspecified mental problems.
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WJXT-TV reports that on Saturday, a warrant was issued for Chatman's arrest on a charge of interfering with custody.
"We don't have any indications that she is in danger, but I'm not trying to minimize the seriousness of this," Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Assistant Chief Butler said. "Here you have a mother who, basically, the custody was removed from her. She no longer has custody of Onnika. She has sent emails that I would term to be delusional. So, anything is possible."
The Florida Department of Children and Families took custody of the child six weeks ago. In November, Chatman's roommate filed a protective injunction to have the woman kept away from her, and Chatman was recently evicted from her Atlantic Beach home.
Police say the abduction occurred just before 5 p.m. Friday as Chatman wrapped up a supervised visit with her daughter at the Jewish Family and Community Service Center in a Dupont office park.
They hugged and were getting ready to say goodbye to one another when Chatman "basically grabs the child's hand, places the child in the car and drives off," Butler said.
The Florida Department of Children and Families says a caseworker was only feet away at the time, but couldn't stop Chatman.
"She said that she had some gifts for that child in the backseat. And so, it's apparent that she had a plan all along," said DCF spokesman John Harrell.
FDLE Amber Alert flyer | UNCUT: Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Saturday briefing
Since the kidnapping, Jewish Family and Community Services changed their policy and will require visiting moms and dads to say goodbye to their children at the front door. Harrell says it was a necessary move to further prevent something like this from happening again.
"They're very concerned about this incident. We're certainly all very hopeful and continue to pray that this child is found safely," Harrell said.
Police say Chatman and her daughter may be traveling in a 2000 dark green Buick Century with this Ohio tag number: FPA4958.
A photo of the vehicle shows a "trailer hitch receiver" under the rear bumper of her car, the Sheriff's Office said, adding in a statement that it was "a unique feature on this style of vehicle."
Since the car has an Ohio license plate, Butler said it's possible that Chatman could be taking the girl back to Ohio, where she has lived in the past.
Butler said Chatman's family and friends -- including the girl's father in South Florida -- also are sharing details about the mother and Onnika with authorities.
By midday Saturday police said they had received 15 tips, but none led to the safe recovery of Onnika.
"For something like this to happen, for a parent to just run off with a child, it's very brazen, it's very hurtful," Harrell said. "Obviously, you have concerns about what that child may be going through right now."
Police say Onnika is at 3 feet 10 inches tall and weights 53 pounds. She was last seen wearing blue jeans and a pink jacket with white polka dots on the inside collar.
Chatman is a black woman, 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds. She was last seen wearing a red baseball hat, green jacket and blue jeans.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, at 904-630-0500 or Crime Stoppers, at 877-845-8477.