Deputies find missing child

A missing Columbia Falls baby has been found safe in Lincoln County, and an AMBER Alert was canceled Tuesday morning.

Six-month-old Lucas Warner was taken by his biological father, Andrew Warner and babysitter Hayli Emerson, on Saturday.

According to Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino, the trio was found at a campground near Wee Lake in the Yaak region.

“They were dropped off at the campground by friends, and members of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office found them,” Heino said.

The child is in the care of Child Protective Services.

Lincoln County Sheriff Darren Short said deputies located the trio after receiving a tip from an informant. After verifying the information, deputies descended upon the campsite about 10 a.m., Short said.

“It didn’t look like they were going to be moving anywhere anytime soon so we came up with an operations plan this morning,” Short said. “We went in and found the camp and people, secured them and were able to turn the child over to Child Protective Services.”

The group, which numbered five adults and five children in total, was armed but very cooperative with law enforcement, said Undersheriff Brad Dodson.

Andrew Warner, 20, was described as being bipolar and off his medication. The babysitter who was involved is 19-year-old Hayli Emerson.

Heino said neither were arrested because no court order was filed barring their contact with the baby. He said CPS had a no-contact order against Andrew Warner, but it precluded charges being filed.

“The child’s welfare was the primary concern and we’re happy he’s been found safe,” Heino said.