Community Effort Leads to Safe Return of Missing Child

In Maryland, a vigilant group of friends responded quickly after receiving an Amber Alert, enabling police to locate and safely recover a missing 1-year-old girl.

The Prince George’s County Police issued an Amber Alert for Day-Rene Garris Collins around 2 p.m. after she was reported missing from her home during the morning. She was last seen wearing a white onesie.

The alert specified to look for a 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SUV with Maryland license plate 8GK3445, driven by her relative and suspected abductor, Shannon Collins.

group spotted a suspected abductor’s car after an AMBER Alert, leading police to safely recover the child. — A local group noticed the suspect’s vehicle after the Amber Alert, helping law enforcement to rescue the girl.

The public was advised not to interact with Collins or the vehicle. Hours later, friends spotted the gray SUV passing their car and started recording.

In a TikTok video, they documented the vehicle pulling up beside them and later caught it at a red light, where they confirmed the license plate matched the one from the Amber Alert. The video shows the SUV surrounded by police as Collins was arrested without resistance.

One friend can be heard stating it was “all thanks” to their quick action. The suspect, 36-year-old Shannon Collins, was taken into custody while the child was unharmed. Authorities did not specify the nature of the relationship between the suspect and the girl.

1-year-old Day-Rene Garris Collins — The recovered child, Day-Rene Garris Collins, is safe and unharmed.

Police acknowledged that a community member’s alert call was crucial in the quick arrest. They expressed gratitude for the public’s vigilance and cooperation with safety agencies.

Shannon Collins, 36, was detained after the vehicle was identified.

The incident highlights how alert citizens can play a vital role in ensuring children’s safety, especially during time-sensitive situations like an Amber Alert.