Amina Knuckles has been found safe. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children confirmed that the 8-year-old, who had been missing since August 3, 2025 from Wichita, Kansas, was located on December 15, 2025.
Knuckles' disappearance resulted from a bitter custody battle, according to Angeline Hartmann, the director of communications for the NCMEC.
On August 2, 2025, Knuckles' father dropped her off at the designated exchange location. The mother was supposed to return the next day at 5:00 p.m. When she did not, the father became concerned and notified the Wichita Police Department.
The child's mother was charged with felony kidnapping, and an alert was issued through NCMEC. According to court records, she pleaded guilty in January 2025 to aggravated battery involving a weapon and serious bodily harm.
In November 2025, the case was shared with national news outlets and featured on On Patrol: Live.
"When we're talking about family abduction cases, one of the things we hear, especially on social media, is that the child can't possibly be in danger because they're with their parent," Hartmann said. "That is a big misconception... No matter what, no child should be living a life on the run."
The increased awareness led to Knuckles being located and brought home safely.
