PHOENIX, AZ – Residents across Arizona were startled by the first-ever Turquoise Alert, a new system designed to locate missing individuals, including tribal members. The alert was issued as authorities search for a missing six-year-old girl, last seen at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix.
The Department of Public Safety reported that the child, identified as Violet Colt, was with her non-custodial mother, Sarah Colt, on July 12. Surveillance footage captured the pair at around 10 p.m. Violet was previously seen with her mother in Hawaii roughly a year ago.
Violet is described as a white female, approximately 3 feet 10 inches tall, with blonde hair and hazel eyes. Authorities say she was wearing a white shirt and a pink jacket at the time of her disappearance. Her mother, Sarah, is 48 years old, of Cajun descent, standing 5 feet 11 inches tall with brown hair. They may be traveling in a silver 2005 or 2006 Toyota Corolla with a faded hood.
Sarah Colt is wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant for allegedly taking Violet from Hawaii in violation of a court order. The Turquoise Alert, part of a system established by HB 2281, or Anlee’s Law, was activated to assist in their location.
Anlee’s Law, passed in May, was named in memory of a San Carlos Apache Tribal member who went missing and was later found murdered. The law aims to improve the search efforts for missing tribal members.
The Turquoise Alert is a new tool for tracking missing and endangered persons between the ages of 18 and 65, merging with existing efforts to find vulnerable populations. Authorities urge anyone with information to come forward.
The community hopes for Violet’s safe return as the alert system undergoes its first real test. The significance of the alert system is not lost on those involved, as it represents a new chapter in safeguarding vulnerable individuals across the state.
As the search continues, the hope is that Violet and her mother will be located swiftly, ensuring the child’s safety and well-being.