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Missing 4-year-old Grass Valley girl, dad found safe (UPDATED)

Liz Kellar
The Union

7:30 a.m. Wednesday UPDATE: A missing Grass Valley girl taken by her father Tuesday afternoon was found safe and sound after a be-on-the-lookout advisory was issued.

Khia Jo Marie Harwood, 4, was reported endangered and missing at around 2:20 p.m. on Tuesday from the Union Square parking lot in downtown Grass Valley.

The girl’s parents had gotten into a child custody dispute over their two children, said Grass Valley Police Lt. Alex Gammelgard. One child remained with the mother, he said.



Khia Harwood’s biological father, Brian Torrez-Harwood, 30, of Browns Valley, had driven away with her in a gray 2007 Cadillac CTS, heading toward Race and South Auburn streets.

Torrez-Harwood reportedly made some suicidal statements as he left the scene, Gammelgard said.



“As in many child custody disputes, the safety of all parties, particularly the involved children, are of the Grass Valley Police Department’s utmost concern,” he said in a prepared statement. “Therefore, we utilized all tools available to swiftly notify the community and media to assist in locating the child.”

Torrez-Harwood subsequently contacted law enforcement by phone, and a Nevada County Sheriff’s deputy made personal contact and confirmed the safety of both the girl and her father, Gammelgard said.

“We would like to thank everyone for their support and assistance,” he added.

ORIGINAL STORY BELOW FROM TUESDAY AFTERNOON:

GRASS VALLEY, Calif. — A be-on-the-lookout advisory was issued Tuesday afternoon for a missing Grass Valley girl who was reportedly taken by her father.

Khia Harwood, 4, was reported endangered and missing at around 2:20 p.m. on Tuesday from the Union Square parking lot in downtown Grass Valley. She is described as a Hispanic female, 3 feet tall and 38 pounds with long curly brown hair and brown eyes.

The girl’s parents had gotten into a child custody dispute over their two children, said Grass Valley Police Lt. Alex Gammelgard, One child remained with the mother, he said.

Khia Harwood was last seen wearing a pink one-piece outfit with white flowers and black sandals.

The suspect is her biological father, Brian Torrez-Harwood, 30, of Browns Valley. He’s described as a Hispanic male; 6 feet, 1 inch tall; 170 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

He was last seen wearing a black shirt, denim shorts and a black camouflage hat with a marijuana leaf on it. He has gauge earrings on both ears, a right cheek piercing and a Harwood tattoo on his left arm.

He was last seen driving a gray 2007 Cadillac CTS with a California license plate 6ACD628, with chrome wheels, heading toward Race and South Auburn streets.

Torrez-Harwood reportedly made some statements of concern as he left the scene, Gammelgard said.

At 4:30 p.m., there was a possible sighting on Interstate 80 near Highway 174, heading eastbound.

If seen, call 530-265-7880 or 477-4900.

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