Girl Recovered From Stolen Pickup Now In State Custody

EL RENO, Okla. (AP) -- A 3-year-old girl who was sleeping inside a pickup truck when it was stolen from outside a casino in Concho and later found safe is now in state custody.<br/><br/>Alyssa Lopez was

Tuesday, October 23rd 2007, 8:33 am

By: News On 6

EL RENO, Okla. (AP) -- A 3-year-old girl who was sleeping inside a pickup truck when it was stolen from outside a casino in Concho and later found safe is now in state custody.

Alyssa Lopez was found in the truck after it was abandoned Monday morning on an Interstate 40 off ramp in eastern Oklahoma City.

Canadian County Sheriff Lewis Hawkins says the girl was placed in state custody during a hearing Tuesday morning in Canadian County District Court.

The child's grandfather has custody of her and told investigators he left her in the pickup when he went into the Lucky Star Casino about 2 a.m. Monday. The grandfather says he noticed the truck missing about 3:45, and an Amber Alert was issued just after 5:30.

The pickup with the girl inside was found just over an hour later.

The FBI investigated the incident Monday and has turned over information to the sheriff's office. The sheriff says the information will be sent to the district attorney when all reports are complete.

Police have arrested Daniel Lee Green in connection with the case and Hawkins says Alyssa has identified Green as the man who took the pickup.

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10/22/2007 Amber Alert Canceled, Girl Found Safe