Police: 7-month-old subject of Amber Alert found safe, father arrested in NC

DURHAM, NC (FOX 46 WJZY) - Seven-month-old Emma Grace Kennedy has been found safe, and her father, Carl Ray Kennedy, has been arrested, according to Danville Police.

Danville Police, FBI, Randolph County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Secret Service arrested Kennedy in Randleman, N.C. He is in custody in North Carolina.

Officials said Emma Grace Kennedy appears to be in good health and is being evaluated at a local hospital. The mother of the child has been notified.

The Amber Alert issued for Emma Grace Kennedy has since been canceled.

Virginia State Police said Carl Ray Kennedy, 51, may have been seen in the area of Seven Springs in Wayne County and may be headed to Oak Island. 

Danville police traveled to Durham overnight after reports of 'a man trying to sell a baby' but officers told FOX 8 that the incident was not related to the Amber Alert.

Related: Amber Alert issued after 7-month-old abducted by North Carolina sex offender 

Authorities initially believed the man and child may have been Kennedy and his daughter, Emma Kennedy, who are the subject of the Amber Alert out of Virginia. He is accused of abducting 7-month-old Emma from the Danville, Virginia area. 

Kennedy is a registered North Carolina sex offender. His last known residence is 2688 Valewood Drive in Asheboro. He was convicted in 2014 of sexual battery, according to the NC Sex Offender Registry.

Kennedy is described as having gray hair, green eyes and has several tattoos. He was last seen wearing a brown t-shirt, gray shorts, and black and white Sketchers. He also has a pierced left ear.

Authorities said Kennedy abducted the child after assaulting her mother at a Kwik Stop on Riverside Drive in Danville. He is believed to be armed with a knife.

Kennedy’s car is a gold Suzuki Forenza with NC license tag number EKZ-5093.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Danville Police Department at (434) 799-6510 or 911.