ECSO arrests suspect accused of stealing vehicle with 5-year-old girl inside

Escambia County Sheriff's deputies found and arrested the 23-year-old woman accused of kidnapping 5-year-old Isobel Battese Tuesday.

Miracle Myangel Armstrong was booked into Escambia County Jail Tuesday night on one count of kidnapping, two counts of vehicle theft, resisting an officer and battery. She was also charged with one misdemeanor traffic violation, according to jail records.

Monday at approximately 4 p.m., Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies received a report of a stolen vehicle on the 4600th block of Oakland Drive, according to an ECSO Facebook post. The victim's 5-year-old daughter, Isobel, was inside the vehicle at the time.

ECSO personnel, assisted by Pensacola Police Department personnel, scoured the area for over an hour trying to find the gold Jeep and the girl. Deputies immediately set up a perimeter, collected suspect and vehicle information, and broadcast that information to local agencies.

Isobel was found alone in a parked car a short time later.

Child abducted: ECSO: missing 5-year-old Iocated safely

"Fortunately, the vehicle was spotted by a Pensacola Police Department officer, located aside Woodsies Bar on Mobile Highway," an ECSO Facebook post says. "The 5-year-old girl was found safe inside the vehicle and was returned to her mother."

The search for Armstrong continued, and she was ultimately taken into custody Tuesday night.

“This is an example of the quick work and cooperation you see from area law enforcement agencies. While we feared for the worst, we are thankful that the mother and daughter were safely reunited” Sheriff Chip Simmons said of the incident.

Armstrong could face up to life in prison for allegedly kidnapping the 5-year-old. She's currently in Escambia County Jail on $218,000 bond.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: ECSO arrests Miracle Armstrong for kidnapping Isobel Battese