Girl reported kidnapped safe, dad arrested

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Port St. Lucie police have arrested the father of a 2-year old girl after she was reported kidnapped by her parents.

Robby Gutierrez, 26, faces a charge of child abuse.

Police say Monday night a woman found the child wandering in the dark, unattended.

The child's biological mother later told police that Guiterrez had taken the girl to Wal-Mart and that he later her and said he lost the child and didn't know where she was.

The mother went to the store and for an hour searched for the missing youngster. The couple then called 9-1-1 and reported that the child was kidnapped.

What they didn't know was police already had custody of the child.

Officers then questioned Gutierrez and, according to a police incident report, he listed several reasons as to how his child ended up so far away from the Wal-Mart.

Police say he even alleged that his daughter climbed out of the car while he was parked at an apartment complex.

Officers arrested Gutierrez and charged him with child abuse. They also contacted the Department of Children and Families.