The FBI has located Brianne Kirk, the missing 9-year-old girl who officials earlier this week said may have been on the Big Island with her noncustodial father.
The FBI has located Brianne Kirk, the missing 9-year-old girl who officials earlier this week said may have been on the Big Island with her noncustodial father.
Officials tracked the girl’s father, 57-year-old Brian Kirk to Poolville, Texas, after receiving anonymous tip. The FBI said it used “sensitive technical means” to zero in on Brian Kirk’s location.
The 57-year-old was arrested early Thursday at a relative’s house in Texas by local authorities, who were contacted by case investigators. Brianne Kirk was safely recovered unharmed, the FBI said.
Brian Kirk is in police custody and awaiting extradition back to Colorado where he will face criminal charges.
Brianne Kirk is with Child Protective Services in Texas for the next few hours. The FBI is assisting with the quick transport of Brianne’s mom to Texas, so the two can be reunited.
The FBI said it appears that Brian Kirk was able to fly to Texas from the Big Island with Brianne sometime during April. It is unknown to the FBI what name or identification he used to fly.
On Monday, the Honolulu FBI said it was searching for the missing 9-year-old girl. Officials said she was thought to be with her noncustodial parent Brian Kirk on the Big Island. Brian Kirk used to live on the Big Island but currently resides in Pine, Colo. However, he still had extensive social and family ties on the Big Island.
On March 22, Kirk took temporary custody of the 9-year-old for a spring break visitation. On March 24, Kirk sent the mother a text message advising that he and Brianne were flying to Kona to go camping at a vacant lot at 15-1982 20th Ave. in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision of Puna. Brianne was to be returned on March 30, but that did not occur.
Kirk’s cellphone was then turned off, according to the FBI.
The FBI said it verified that the two did arrive in Kona on March 24 as planned, but initially said they had no evidence of them leaving via airplane.