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AMBER Alert canceled after 2 kids abducted in Arizona found safe

Posted at 2:41 PM, Jul 16, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-17 11:49:33-04

FLORENCE, AZ — An AMBER Alert has been canceled after two young boys who were taken from Arizona Department of Child Safety custody Tuesday morning have been found safe.

According to the Department of Public Safety, 2-year-old Blaze and 4-month-old Ryder Kirkley, were located around 11 p.m.

The alert was issued after the boys' parents, Melissa Joy Gladden and Jerry Jay Kirkley, took off with the kids in a 2008 Dodge pickup with Louisiana license plate number C618802.

According to a now deleted Facebook post from Louisiana State Police, the 2008 Dodge pickup was found traveling on I-20 eastbound in Bienville Parish, LA shortly after 1 a.m. (11 p.m. local time).

"34-year-old Jerry J. Kirkley and 34-year-old Melissa J. Gladden were taken into custody and the two missing children were recovered safely," the now deleted post read.

Florence police said they had probable cause to arrest Gladden and Kirkley. Authorities said Kirkley has a history of domestic violence and is known to carry weapons.

Stay with ABC15 News and abc15.com for updates to this developing story.