Girl at Amber Alert center found safe, father wanted in custody for death investigation

A 9-year-old North Carolina girl at the center of an Amber Alert and whose father was wanted in connection with a death investigation has been found safe, police told USA TODAY Wednesday morning.

Pembroke police had been searching for Mekiya Werrell Strickland, who was reported missing at around 3am on Wednesday after she was last seen with her father.

Pembroke is a city in Robeson County about 90 miles from the Atlantic Ocean.

A police spokesman said the girl was found late Wednesday morning and her father was in custody.

It was not immediately known whether he was accused of a crime.

What was Claude Leslie Werrell wanted for?

The North Carolina Center for Missing Persons reported the girl missing around 3 a.m

According to the alert, the child was with her father, 50-year-old Claude Leslie Werrell, who was wanted for questioning in connection with a death investigation.

Police have not yet said which death Werrell should be questioned about.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Girl found safe in central North Carolina, Amber Alert