Child Abduction In Virginia

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Tammy Huffman-Giza and Brayden Reid Carty pose for a photograph.

On Feb. 25, 2008, State Police and investigators in Wise County, Va. issued an Endangered Missing Child Alert for 8-year-old Brayden Reid Carty.

According to police, Brayden was taken by his biological but non-custodial mother, 32-year-old Tammy Huffman-Giza the weekend prior, when Brayden's father brought the child over to her apartment in Coeburn, Va. for a visit.

Cops say when the father went to pick up Brayden, the apartment was empty -- except for a letter Huffman-Giza allegedly penned before taking off with the child. In the letter, police say Huffman-Giza wrote she had met someone named "Richard" online, and that she'd made plans to go to London, England to meet him. Police have issued a felony warrant for Tammy, charging her with child abduction.

According to police, Huffman-Giza suffers from mental health issues and has attempted to harm herself in the past. Cops fear Brayden is endangered.

Be On The Lookout

Brayden was last seen wearing a gray shirt with green stripes, dark blue jeans, gray socks, and brown shoes. He has a birthmark on his left knee and a brown scar on his left elbow.

Cops say Huffman-Giza has a Betty Boop tattoo on her hip and may be wearing a dark sweatshirt and pants.

Wanted For:

• Child Abduction , Wise County , VA ; Feb 25, 2008

(Information valid as of February 27, 2008)

Associated Persons:

Brayden Carty
Cops say Tammy Huffman-Giza abducted Brayden Reid Carty.
Missing Child
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Fugitive Mom Hiding Out In Tenn.

Investigators with the Wise County, Va. Sheriff's Office are happy to confirm 8-year-old Brayden Reid Carty has been safely recovered -- and his biological but non-custodial mother, 32-year-old Tammy Huffman-Giza has been arrested and charged with his abduction.

Cops say the recovery and capture came after they sniffed out information that Huffman-Giza had recently gotten hitched to a man living in Mayking, Ky. Police went to talk to the man, who initially reported he hadn't been in contact with her. But on Feb 27, 2008 -- just two days after Huffman-Giza's arrest warrant was issued, the man called a Ky. state trooper and told him he was with Huffman-Giza and Brayden in a camper in Grainger County, Tenn.

When cops arrived at the campground, sure enough, Huffman-Giza was hiding out in the back bedroom. Police arrested her, and Brayden was reunited with his father in Wise County.