JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Police and the Florida Department of Children and Families are investigating after 4-year-old Armani Goodman disappeared for several hours Thursday night.
The mother called police when she returned to her Arlington home from work about 9:30 p.m. Thursday and her daughter and the babysitter were missing. Two other children who her neighbor, 46-year-old Harriet White, was to be caring for were left in the apartment unattended.
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office asked for the public's help, but canceled it just after 2 a.m., saying Armani had been found safe at the home of a friend of White's on West Fifth Street in the New Town area.
Police said White had left the baby asleep at that home and walked away, with no explanation.
"I'm furious. I'm ready to get it in," said Terrence Goodman, Armani's father. "It wasn't supposed to happen, but it did happen. I can't change that."
Goodman and his wife were reunited with Armani early Friday morning. Though bewildered, her parents said they were grateful to be together again.
"It was like my life was brought back to be," Goodman said. "I can do nothing but smile. My angel's been found."
Goodman said White had been babysitting her children since July and there had never been any concerns.
"I felt good about it. I guess I was wrong," Goodman said. "I don't know if it was her intention, but you just don't do that."
According to criminal records, White has been previously arrested for theft and offering prostitution, the most recent being drug charges from 2003.
Police have not said if White has not been located or if she was facing any charges. Police said White did not have a vehicle and could be with her boyfriend, 57-year-old Leonard Roland.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500.