Iowa girl missing for months found safe in Maine

AMES, Iowa (KCRG/Gray News) - A 6-year-old girl from Iowa who was reported missing months ago was found safe in Maine.

Avery Doherty was reported missing in October 2023. Her dad, Brandon Doherty, told KCCI in January that she was last seen when her mother, who does not have custody of Avery, picked her up from school.

Police confirmed Avery was found safe on Peaks Island off the coast of Portland, Maine, on Wednesday.

Ames police said Avery’s mother, 41-year-old Esther Bender, was arrested by law enforcement in Maine for having violated a court order and unlawfully taking the child out of Iowa.

Doherty has lived in Kansas City since he and Bender separated.

The couple had been going through a lengthy custody battle, with court documents showing Doherty was petitioning for visitation rights.

Additional details in this case have not been released at this time.

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