Teen reportedly abducted by 55-year-old man returns home to mom

A Missouri mother is anxiously waiting to be reunited with her teenage daughter who was allegedly abducted and found safe in New Mexico.

Hannah Knish is expected to arrive home sometime Tuesday, but she is first being interviewed by the division of family services to see if there could possibly be other crimes committed. Her disappearance caused an Amber Alert to be issued about 2 p.m. Monday. It took less than two hours to track down the 13-year-old after the alert was issued.

She was found with 55-year-old Raymond C. Vallia III, who was arrested after a traffic stop east of Moriarty, NM. Police say the two met online and she willingly left with Vallia.

Amy Knish reported her daughter missing between 3 a.m. and 8 a.m. from their home.

Through Hannah’s social media accounts, it was found she was in an online relationship with Vallia since December. Court records state Hannah created an online identity with the first name of Sylvia, chatting on sites like Tumbler, Kik and Pinterest. The FBI wouldn’t comment on what was said in those online conversations.

The Amarillo Police Department in Texas spoke to Vallia’s wife, Rebecca Vallia, who said she and her husband separated after she had found out that he was involved in an online relationship with what she believed was a 16-year-old girl named Sylvia, court records state.

Rebecca Vallia then provided her husband’s address in Albuquerque, NM, and a current telephone number. She also provided information that he drives a 2013 black Ford F-150.

A cell phone ping was activated on his phone and he was stopped by the New Mexico State Highway Patrol just outside of Albuquerque, NM, with Hannah in his truck.

Henry County prosecutors have charged Vallia with felony child kidnapping, and he could face federal charges.

Hannah’s mother told authorities that she took extra precautions to keep something like this from happening, but that her daughter had an alias and was posing as someone over 18. It’s not clear if Vallia also had a fake profile.

But for now, Hannah’s loved ones are just glad to know she’s safe and will be home soon.

“I’m really glad she was found safe and sound,” neighbor Michela Liebold said.

Hannah is a straight-A seventh-grader who attends Clinton Christian Academy Christian School in Clinton, MO.

The administrator of the private school she attends said everyone’s prayers have been answered now that Hannah is safe.

“This is awesome and amazing. Praise God for him allowing her to be returned,” said Clark Ballard, Clinton Christian Academy administrator. “It’s awesome. This goes to show the Amber Alert works.”

He said her classmates and teachers are celebrating the good news and eagerly awaiting Hannah’s return.

“Some tears, jumping up and down and just excitement with that, knowing there’s got to be some huge relief in her family, particularly her mom, they were so close,” Ballard said.