Arizona’s Inaugural Turquoise Alert Concludes with Safe Recovery of Missing Child
A recent case involving a missing six-year-old girl, triggering Arizona’s first-ever Turquoise Alert, has reached a positive resolution. Violet Coultas, who disappeared from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport earlier this month, has been located and is safe.
The alert was initially activated on July 12th at 10:01 p.m.when Violet was reported missing by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS). The circumstances surrounding her disappearance were particularly concerning, as she was last seen with her mother, 48-year-old Sarah Coultas.
Authorities believed Sarah had intentionally traveled from Hawaii to Arizona with Violet, disregarding a standing court order. This prompted a multi-agency search involving both state and federal law enforcement. Turquoise Alerts, established in 2023, are specifically designed for cases involving missing individuals between the ages of 12 and 17, or in this instance, a unique circumstance involving a court order violation and parental abduction. As of 2024, only a handful of states have adopted similar alert systems, highlighting Arizona’s proactive approach to protecting vulnerable children.
The breakthrough in the case came late Wednesday evening when the FBI notified the Cottonwood Police Department that both mother and daughter were in their custody. Early Thursday morning, officers with the Cottonwood Police Department confirmed they had located Sarah and Violet safe within the city limits.
Following their recovery, Violet was placed in the care of the Cottonwood Police Department until representatives from the Arizona Department of Child Safety arrived to assume custody, ensuring her well-being and adherence to legal protocols. The case underscores the importance of rapid response systems like the Turquoise Alert in swiftly locating missing children and prioritizing their safety.
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