ARCHULETA COUNTY, COLO. -- The Colorado Springs girl reported missing by her mother has been found safe not far from where she went missing.
Jayleigh Mieritz, the 6-year-old girl who was allegedly taken by her grandmother Joan Mieritz, was found in Archuleta County near Pagosa Springs, where her mother reported her missing.
A family custody dispute between the mother, Tamika Ward, and Joan led to Joan fleeing with Jayleigh. Joan had taken Jayleigh to Pagosa Springs for an extended vacation and tried filing for custody of the girl while she was there.
The court denied her request.
When Ward went to pick up her daughter, Joan refused and fled with Jayleigh.
Deputies said Jayleigh was with Joan when she was found, and there are charges pending against the 65-year-old grandmother.
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