[Update] Lloyd has been found safe in Tennessee & Knuth was apprehended by authorities.

Yesterday afternoon, an Iowa Amber Alert was issued for a southeast Iowa teen. Now comes word that she and her alleged abductor have been spotted by police.

The Amber Alert for 17-year-old Dominque Lloyd of Kalona was issued at 5:46 Thursday afternoon. Since then, we've learned a lot more, including that she and the man who allegedly abducted her were seen by police in Georgia before the Amber Alert was actually issued.

Alex Murphy, a spokesman for the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, confirmed to the Des Moines Register this morning that the two were seen prior to the Amber Alert. Washington County Sheriff Jerry Dunbar says the two were stopped by police for a minor traffic violation in Georgia. He did not say when it occurred, or when Iowa law enforcement officials found out. The two were reportedly in the Black Mazda with Iowa plates DXL 519 that was mentioned in yesterday's Amber Alert.

How is possible they got that far from Iowa prior to the issuing of the Amber Alert? Loyd had been missing since Saturday but four criteria must be met before an Amber Alert can be issued:

  • Law enforcement must confirm a child abduction.
  • The person abducted must be under 18.
  • The child must be considered in danger of bodily harm or death.
  • There must be enough information about the child, their alleged abductor, or the vehicle the suspect is driving to believe the broadcast of the alert will be beneficial.

When the above criteria were met, the Amber Alert was issued Thursday afternoon.

Lloyd's alleged abductor, Michael Knuth, is a registered sex offender in Iowa. A criminal complaint shows that between May and July of 2013, he had sex with a 15-year old at least six years younger than him. A third-degree sexual abuse charge resulted in March of 2014. Alex Murphy of the Iowa DCI couldn't confirm if that victim was Dominique Lloyd.

Knuth is also wanted for failing to adhere to the sex offender registry and has reportedly violated his probation multiple times and lied to his probation officer about a job.

Here is a link to yesterday's original Amber Alert.

via Iowa Amber Alert
via Iowa Amber Alert
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Dominique Lloyd

via Iowa Amber Alert
via Iowa Amber Alert
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Michael Knuth

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