A baby has been found ALIVE after police initially thought she was kidnapped while sitting in the back of a car.
Police launched a huge search for the little girl overnight after the vehicle disappeared while she was inside, from Crest Avenue, in Parrish, Alabama, at around 6.50pm.
Now, after her safe return to her parents, police have said it was likely the SUV was never stolen, nor was Harlow ever kidnapped.
Harlow was reportedly found inside her father's Lexus car, deep in the kudzu (also known as Japanese arrowroot or Chinese arrowroot) across the street from where the vehicle was reported stolen.
Police were conducting their fourth search of the area when they came across baby Harlow just before 8.30am on Tuesday, July 11.
Parrish Police Chief Danny Woodward said: "Daylight was our friend on this one."
He confirmed an investigation is ongoing, but they do not believe that the car was not stolen.
Harlow Darby Freeman, a 9-month-old girl, is described as white, with brown hair and blue eyes, who was last seen wearing a tie dye onesie and pink shorts.
Harlow's aunt, Melinda Hutchison, told reporters that the little girl's father left her in the vehicle for a minute to run inside a friend's house
The baby's mom, Bethany Smith, issued a desperate plea last night: 'I'm begging you to please bring by baby to me.'
She posted a desperate appeal on Facebook, saying: "Be on the lookout for a 2009 white Lexus SUV RX 350 damage to the back right.
"My car was stolen and the baby was in the back seat in her car seat!!! Please help!!! Car was stolen out of Parrish.
"If you're reading this and you know anything. All I ask is for my baby back. Y'all can keep the car!!!!! Just bring me my baby and no questions asked! Car was stolen from downtown Parrish between 6:30-6:50pm."
She added in a second post: 'You can drop the baby off wherever you want just call me or message me and let me know where she is. No questions asked I swear.'
The family had offered a $5,000 reward for the baby's safe return. Police also appealed to the public for assistance in helping to track down the infant and return her safely home to the family.
Police shared a description and pictures of little Harlow Freeman, and posted a statement on their Facebook page on Monday night, reading: "The Parrish Police Department is on the scene of a 9 month old child that was kidnapped at approximately 6:50 pm. from a residence on Crest Avenue in Parrish.
"The child is a W/F [white female] approximately 20 pounds. The vehicle is described as a white 2009 Lexus RX350 tag number 3880AR8.
"The vehicle has damage on the rear passenger side and appears to be taped with clear tape. Anyone with information call the Parrish Police Department 205-686-9991 or 911. We will update as information becomes available."
