Amber Alert canceled for Kentucky 5-year-old after mother, Kelly Black, found dead

Kentucky authorities canceled an Amber Alert issued Monday morning for a 5-year-old girl after she was found safe.

The Amber Alert issued by the Kentucky State Police said Lela Black was believed to have been taken by her biological father, Byron Black, a fugitive who was sought in connection with the death of Kelly Black, Lela's mother. On Monday afternoon, police said Byron Black was taken into custody.

Police described Byron Black, 42, as potentially "armed and dangerous." No one had heard from Lela or Byron Black since Friday, the alert said.

Authorities found 42-year-old Kelly Black dead at a home in Princeton, Kentucky, on Sunday, police said. She died of an apparent gunshot wound to the back of her head.

Kentucky State Police said Byron and Lela Black were last seen in a 1996 Chevrolet Silverado with paint peeling off the hood and a California license plate 5J83779.

The alert described Byron Black has brown eyes and brown hair and is six feet tall. Lela Black is 3 feet 6 inches tall, with brown hair and eyes, according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Last year, 149 children were rescued because of Amber Alerts, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. A Paste BN investigation published last year shows Amber Alerts are extremely rare and, even when they are used, it’s unclear how much they help bring children home safely.

Stay in the know: For more can’t-miss moments of the day, sign up for Daily Briefing.