(November 21, 2008)—Jewel Noel Klein, 6, who was the focus of an Amber Alert issued earlier this week, was found safe Friday in Austin.
Austin police spokeswoman Anna Sabana told the Austin American Statesman officers found the girl Friday after they pulled over a car that matched the description of the vehicle stolen from the girl’s grandmother.
Comal County authorities issued the Amber Alert after the girl’s mother, Tonya Renee Martin, 41, took Klein Tuesday from Rebecca Creek Elementary School in Spring Branch.
Authorities said they also suspected Martin of severely beating her 68-year-old mother Melba Balantac.
The Houston Chronicle and the San Antonio Express-News reported that deputies were able to communicate with Balantac for a short time.
Deputies said she was able to give them some information, implicating her daughter.
Investigators realized Jewel was missing only after Balantac was taken to the hospital.
Reynolds said Martin was seen driving Balantac's blue Hyundai Sonata before the assault.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether Martin was in the car that Austin police pulled over.
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