BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Buffalo Police Department has announced the safe return of two missing children, 8-year-old Edward Hale and 10-year-old Eiaina Hale.
The two children were reunited with their legal guardian, who is their older sister, after a nearly 24-hour search. She tells 7 News anchor Pheben Kassahun her younger siblings are safe.
"They are okay," Kimberleigh Hale told Kassahun. "I was happy. I was joyful. It was a pleasure to be back with them."
The last 24 hours had been nerve-wracking for Hale as she tried to find her siblings. Frantically trying everything in her power to find her siblings, Hale got in contact with the Buffalo Police Department. She also reached out to the volunteer group Western New York Missing and Unidentified Persons.
"There's been ring cameras with videos of them getting into a tan car. We've been handing out flyers, knocking on doors, and talking to detectives and CPS case workers. Just trying to get everything situated," she said.
"We're all moms. We're fierce moms. We don't take no for an answer and we keep looking until they're found," said Western New York Missing and Unidentified Persons group volunteer Pauline Mara.
The search began after the siblings were reported missing around 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
Watch missing children enter Chevrolet Impala on Benzinger Street in Buffalo:
Buffalo police were able to gather clues that led them to a ring camera, showing the two children willingly getting into a tan Chevrolet Impala.
"That was their older sister on the mother's side. She had taken them from Benzinger and so on from where they were at," Hale said.
Hale is the children's older sister on their dad's side. Kassahun was able to speak with her right outside Oishei Children's Hospital, which is where the siblings were taken to be evaluated per protocol.
"They were scared. They were terrified about what happened. Really, they don't have much to say right now. They're really just in shock," Hale explained. "I just thank God for bringing them back home and I would like to thank the public, the ones who shared pictures and the stories and all of the support and prayers, and I appreciate everyone and also the news coverage. I really appreciate you guys. Thank you."
According to BPD, officers are making several arrests in connection with their disappearance.
