ST. LOUIS – The FBI St. Louis Task Force held a news conference Friday afternoon in downtown St. Louis stating three suspects are now in custody for the abduction of a 6-year–old.

Police found the 6-year-old girl and reunited her with her father Thursday night in St. Louis after authorities said she was abducted by three suspects earlier this week in Michigan.

Police said Elena Johnson was taken from her father’s home on Monday. According to police, the suspects were armed in a violent home invasion and shot at the father. The father was not injured, but the suspect shot and killed a dog.

The St. Louis Task Force said Johnson was rescued in the 4400 block of Holly Avenue in north St. Louis.

“Our swat team was able to gear up and they went in and rescued the little girl from that area and took them into custody,” said Jay Greenberg, Special Agent in Charge for the FBI St. Louis Task Force. “The person who fired the round at the dad and killed the dog as well this was not a stranger kidnapping there were pre-existing relationships here due to the fact we have a minor involved we are not going to release all the relationships involved dad was reunited with the child.”

The victim’s father said in the following statement that he’s happy to have his daughter home.

“You guys did a real good job, caught them really quick. I’m happy now, I got my baby back, it was joyful when I seen her face. I just want to get her back home and snugged away and live a happy life.” 

No charges have not been filed yet and the FBI has not confirmed the suspects’ relationship to the child since she is a minor.

Police said the little girl was not hurt and is in good spirits. Michigan State Police, the FBI, and St. Louis area law enforcement agencies helped in the investigation.

Due to the swift response and investigation by Muskegon Heights Police Department, Michigan State Police, and FBI Detroit, FBI St. Louis was notified that the girl may be in St. Louis. Within eight hours of being notified, FBI St. Louis and SLMPD’s Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (FAST) located and rescued the girl unharmed.