KE COUNTY, Calif. – A little girl who was taken by her noncustodial father from her San Bernardino County home early in May has been found in Idaho.

Ava Rian Riggle, 3, was taken by her father Nicholas Riggle, 22, from her home in Phelan on May 6, as Lake County News has reported.

Early Saturday morning, Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen reported that he had received word that the little girl had been located in Idaho and was set to be brought back to California.

During the week of May 23 Ava had reportedly been spotted in and around Lakeport with Marcy Gearhart, who was Nicholas Riggle's companion.

At that point, the Lakeport Police Department became involved in the effort to find her, investigating the sightings and offering updates on the situation.

In the past several weeks the investigative trail has appeared to go cold.

On Friday, a reader posted a question on Lake County News' Facebook about the case's status.

In response, Lake County News followed up with Rasmussen, who on Friday afternoon said his officers had continued to work the case since May.

Rasmussen said officers had made numerous contacts and checked locations in an attempt to find the girl and her father, but without success.

He said San Bernardino County authorities had issued a protective custody warrant for the little girl, and Lakeport Police alerted other area law enforcement agencies and continued to assist San Bernardino County District Attorney investigators.

Then early Saturday Rasmussen contacted Lake County News to report that San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office Investigator Karen Cragg was on a flight to Idaho to pick up the little girl, where she had been found.

Rasmussen said he had no other details on the case at that point, but he said San Bernardino County officials said they were very grateful for Lakeport Police's help in the case.

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