Child abducted in Lakeside found safe in Missoula

A child allegedly abducted by her biological mother was found safe Thursday afternoon after the Montana Department of Justice issued an Amber Alert earlier in the day.

The alert was issued at about 12:30 p.m. after 38-year-old Michelle Renee Ferguson allegedly took the 12-year-old girl from a Lakeside location early Thursday morning.

According to Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry, the mother’s phone was traced to somewhere in the Missoula area and police officers there found both and recovered the child. Ferguson was taken into custody.

The Amber Alert characterized Ferguson as having bipolar disorder and noted that she wasn’t taking her medication. It also indicated the child was believed to be in life-threatening danger.

A second Alert was delivered at about 2:15 p.m. that McGuire was found safely.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 406-758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.