BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Buffalo Police Department announced the biological mother of the two children reported missing on Thursday was arrested.
41-year-old Jennie Johnson of Buffalo was arraigned on Saturday on the following charges:
- One count of second-degree kidnapping
- Two counts of second-degree custodial interference
- Two counts of endangering the welfare of a child
- Two counts of second-degree criminal contempt
The Erie County District Attorney's Office said Johnson allegedly abducted her two children from a location in the City of Buffalo. According to the DA, Johnson is accused of enticing the children away from their lawful custodian while knowingly in violation of an existing order of protection.
Police said the children, 8-year-old Edward Hale and 10-year-old Eiania Hale, were seen entering a tan Chevrolet Impala on Sunnyside Place at 4 p.m. Thursday. Police obtained video of the two children entering that same car outside on Benzinger Street about two hours later. The children were reported missing by their legal guardian at about 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
WATCH: Missing children enter Chevrolet Impala on Benzinger Street in Buffalo
The children were reunited with their legal guardian, who is their older sister, after a nearly 24-hour search.
WATCH: 'Thank God for bringing them back': Guardian of missing Buffalo children thanks community for help
"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," their sister Kimberleigh Hale explained.
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