The AMBER ALERT for a 3-year-old girl who police say was abducted by her father was canceled Tuesday.
Elinor Trotta and her father Michael Trotta were both found safe in Massachusetts.
"Today is my birthday," said Elinor's mother Dawn Barkus. "I prayed to God all day to get her back and He gave me the best b-day present ever. I'm gonna get my Elinor back."
The girl and her father were found at an apartment complex in Spencer, Massachusetts Tuesday around 3:30 p.m. Trotta was walking with his daughter out of the complex when he was met by an FBI SWAT team who cornered him and arrested him without incident, police said.
Warrants remain on file for Trotta's arrest in Delaware stemming from an assault on Feb. 15, as well as charges for Monday's incident, which include reckless endangerment and carjacking. He will also be charged with endangering the welfare of a child and is awaiting extradition back in Delaware.
"We appreciate the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the US Attorney General’s Office, The Delaware Attorney General’s Office, and the many state and local agencies which included the New Jersey State Police, Massachusetts State Police, and the Spencer Police Department," a New Castle County Police spokesperson said.
Officials are in the process of taking Barkus to Massachusetts so that she can reunite with her daughter.
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"I got to talk to her on the phone," Barkus said. "She's shaken but ready to be back with me."
The AMBER ALERT was issued in Delaware, New Jersey and Ohio after Trotta, 43, allegedly took Elinor from her home.
Barkus told police that Trotta, who is her ex-boyfriend, assaulted her at her home on the 800 block of East Basin Road in New Castle, Delaware around 6:45 p.m. Monday and then took their young daughter.
Delaware State Police issued the alert after New Castle County Police determined the girl was in "imminent danger." Investigators initially believed Trotta had fled with his daughter to New Jersey and New York City. During Tuesday's press conference, police said they believe Trotta was in Massachusetts because he has family there.
