Kidnapped toddler found safe after landlord sees CNN report

Lilly Baumann, the now-three-year-old Broward baby who was kidnapped by her mother in May 2014, has been discovered by authorities.

The child’s 23-year-old mother, Megan Elizabeth Everett, has been booked into the Putnam County jail on no bail on warrants for charges of kidnapping, interference with custody and concealing minors contrary to a court order, according to authorities. The case was featured on CNN’s “The Hunt with John Walsh” this weekend. A landlady who lives in Putnam County recognized the woman as tenants of her rental property on Motes Lane.

The news network in turn contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation which requested assistance from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, leading to Everett’s arrest.

While no Amber Alert was issued, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement did issue a Missing Endangered Persons report on the little girl, saying she “may be in the company of” Everett.

“This all started a year ago in Sunrise, FL, when a mother left with the child and didn’t return her”, said Capt. Dick Schauland of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, where the reunion took place. I can not let a judge tell me how my daughter should be raised.

Yikes. Baumann also explained to the Sun Sentinel that Everett was concerned about the education her daughter would receive outside of the home, that, in fact, it would be too racially inclusive.

When the father went to pick up his daughter, Everett’s boyfriend answered the door and told him she “doesn’t live here”.

Lesters was described in court records as a Confederate flag-waving gun enthusiast and Baumann said he was uncomfortable with his toddler daughter being around guns and ammunition.

“I know her dad will take good care of her and we will do everything we can to help him”, she said. Everett was supposed to drop the girl off with her father but never did. “But I had to leave”, she stated. “She moved, ‘ and he slammed the door in my face”, Baumann recalled to CNN’s “The Hunt With John Walsh”.

She reportedly said she knew her daughter would be safer and happier with her family.

Megan Everett’s mother, Pam Everett, told the Sun Sentinel she was very relieved her granddaughter was found safe and that her daughter was arrested.