12-Year-Old Recovered After Amber Alert, Ann Arbor Man Arrested

Authorities tracked the victim's phone to southwest Michigan, leading to a traffic stop and the suspect's arrest.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:28pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a pair of metal handcuffs against a stark black background, the harsh flash illuminating the textured surface and creating dramatic shadows, conceptually representing the serious and urgent nature of the Amber Alert case.A dramatic close-up of the handcuffs used to detain the suspect in the Amber Alert case highlights the gritty reality of law enforcement's efforts to recover missing children.Waterloo Today

A 24-year-old Ann Arbor man is in custody after police in Berrien County located a missing 12-year-old girl following an Amber Alert out of Iowa. The alert was issued on April 5th after the girl was reportedly taken without parental permission from Waterloo, Iowa. Detectives tracked the victim's phone to southwest Michigan, showing movement along eastbound I-94 near Coloma Township. Coloma Township Police Officer Riley Hess spotted the suspect vehicle near the Watervliet exit and conducted a traffic stop, finding the juvenile safely inside. The driver, identified as Daniyal Khan, was taken into custody and is being held on a fugitive warrant out of Iowa, awaiting extradition.

Why it matters

Amber Alerts are a critical tool for law enforcement to quickly locate and recover missing children who are believed to be in danger. This case highlights the importance of swift action and coordination between multiple agencies to safely return a child to their family.

The details

According to authorities, the Amber Alert was issued on April 5th after the 12-year-old girl was reportedly taken without parental permission from Waterloo, Iowa. Detectives were able to track the victim's phone, showing movement along eastbound I-94 near Coloma Township in southwest Michigan. Coloma Township Police Officer Riley Hess spotted the suspect vehicle near the Watervliet exit and conducted a traffic stop, finding the juvenile safely inside. The driver, identified as 24-year-old Daniyal Khan of Ann Arbor, was taken into custody and is being held on a fugitive warrant out of Iowa, awaiting extradition.

  • The Amber Alert was issued on April 5th.
  • The traffic stop and recovery of the victim occurred on April 6th.

The players

Daniyal Khan

A 24-year-old man from Ann Arbor, Michigan who was arrested and is being held on a fugitive warrant out of Iowa.

Riley Hess

A Coloma Township Police Officer who spotted the suspect vehicle and conducted the traffic stop, leading to the recovery of the missing 12-year-old girl.

Wes Smigielski

The Coloma Township Police Chief who thanked the Berrien County Sheriff's Department and the Watervliet City Police Department for their assistance in the case.

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What they’re saying

“We must act swiftly to recover missing children and hold those responsible accountable.”

— Wes Smigielski, Coloma Township Police Chief

What’s next

Daniyal Khan will be extradited to Iowa to face charges related to the abduction of the 12-year-old girl.

The takeaway

This case demonstrates the effectiveness of the Amber Alert system in quickly locating and recovering missing children, as well as the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies to apprehend suspects and ensure the safe return of victims.