Family member detained by police as search continues for missing autistic toddler who disappeared with pet dog **Found SAFE**

Update

Charlee made it home safely after 32 hours, according to WKLY. Her dog, Penny, was also found safe. More details to come.

Original Story

Kentucky authorities and rescue teams are on the second day searching for a missing girl who disappeared from her grandparents’ home in Bullitt County on Thursday morning. Meanwhile, a family member and guest in the home was taken into custody.

According to WDRB, Bullitt County Sheriff Donnie Tinnel stated authorities took Robert Bailey, a guest in the home when 2-year-old Charlee Campbell disappeared on Thursday, into custody on Friday as a person of interest. Although he’s not considered a suspect, Bailey was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant and was said to be a convicted felon. It’s unclear what the warrant was for.

Charlee disappeared from the 600 block of Winding Hollow Lane in Lebanon Junction. Charlee’s grandmother, who noticed the little girl missing at around 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, indicated she initially forgot to tell authorities about Bailey. However, Tinnell stated that the little girl may have vanished due to a custody issue.

“I don’t know that I believe she is in the woods. I’m leaning more toward it could be a custody issue and something happened there that we don’t know about. But we asked some tough questions there yesterday and they answered them and we don’t have anything to dispute what they tell us right now, and we’re going to assume until we know differently that the child may be in the woods.”

On Thursday, police asked volunteers to steer clear of the area. On Friday, Southeast Bullitt Fire Department Chief Erik Butler said that people showed up regardless, and volunteers were getting in the way of rescue crews and equipment.

“We can’t get our equipment in because of people. We’ve got at least 49 firefighters alone. We have search dogs, bloodhounds and all these people coming out in the woods and messing up the scent. We appreciate people wanting to help, but they would be better help if they stayed at home.”

As CrimeOnline previously reported, Charlee is a described as a white female with blonde hair and brown eyes. She weighs around 37 pounds and stands 3 feet tall. The family dog, a Pit Bull named Penney, is a blue/grey female.

Anyone with any information is urged to call 911 or the Bullitt County Sheriff’s Office at 502-543-7074. However, authorities are asking people to stay away from the area while rescue crews search for the little girl.

The story continues to develop. Check back with CrimeOnline as additional details become available.

[Feature Photo: Charlee Campbell/Police Handout]