UPDATE: Father of Gracelynn Scritchfield charged in Marion County after he allegedly abducted her

Arile Hetrick has been charged with concealment of a minor child.
Arile Hetrick has been charged with concealment of a minor child.(WDTV)
Published: Jul. 22, 2019 at 7:32 PM EDT
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UPDATE 08/21/19 @ 3:27 p.m.

The father of 4-year-old Gracelynn Scritchfield, Arlie Hetrick, has been charged in Marion County after he allegedly abducted Gracelynn last month.

According to the criminal complaint, Hetrick took Gracelynn from her mother, Summer Scritchfield, on July 6 for scheduled visitation weekend. He was expected to return with Gracelynn on July 7 by 6 p.m.

The criminal complaint says the Summer went to state police July 17 to inform them that Hetrick had not returned with Gracelynn.

An amber alert was issued on July 22.

On Aug 1, U.S. Marshals Services found Gracelynn in Pecos, Texas. Hetrick was taken into custody.

Gracelynn was reunited with her mother on Aug 3.

Hetrick has been charged with concealment of a minor child and is currently being held at North Central Regional Jail.

Marion County Magistrate Court officials say that a court date has not been scheduled for Hetrick.

UPDATE 08/3/19 3:07 PM

Summer Scritchfield and her daughter Gracelynn were reunited after she was abducted by her father in early July.

The two were picked up from the Pittsburgh International Airport Saturday and brought to the West Virginia State Police Fairmont detachment.

Upon arrival they were greeted by family members and friends.

UPDATED 08/01/19 @ 10:30 p.m.

Officials say that missing Marion county girl, Gracelynn Scritchfield, has been found safe in Texas.

The U.S. Marshals Service, Northern District of West Virginia, announced that they found Gracelynn Scritchfield in Pecos,Texas Thursday afternoon. Summer Scritchfield said that she started crying when she found out that her daughter was found safe.

"My heart dropped... I just instantly started crying," said Scritchfield.

Scritchfield says that she cant wait to see her daughter and says she will be emotional when she sees Gracelynn for the first time in almost a month..

"I'm going to burst into tears and she's going to be like "mommy, why are you crying?" I already know it," said Scritchfield.

Scritchfield also says that Gracelynns sister will be happy to see her as well.

"I know when Gracelynn comes home, Maylandis gonna be all over her," said Scritchfield. "She's been yelling for her sister, bringing me her sisters shoes and clothes and she's going to be really excited when she sees her."

Scritchfield says that nothing would have been possible without the communities support and thanks them for helping find her daughter.

"I just want to thank everybody that's been trying to help find her and helping," said Scritchfield. "They'll never know how much I'll appreciate it."

UPDATED 08/01/19 @ 3:20 p.m.

The U.S. Marshals Service, Northern District of West Virginia, announced the recovery Gracelynn Scritchfield in Pecos, Texas Thursday afternoon.

According to the Marshals Services, Arlie Hertrick was taken into custody on federal and state warrants by Deputy U.S. Marshals from the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force based upon a lead which was communicated by US Marshal Investigators in Clarksburg, WV.

An amber alert went out of Scritchfield on July 22 by the West Virginia State Police in Marion County.

"Deputy U.S. Marshals from the Clarksburg office have worked diligently alongside the West Virginia State Police to locate this at risk child and bring the perpetrator to justice. We are pleased to announce the child appears to be in good health and has been turned over to child protective services,” said Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal for Northern West Virginia Alex P. Neville Sr.

Hetrick will be held at the Reeds County, TX jail on the West Virginia warrant pending presentation to a local judicial officer.

UPDATED 07/30/19 @ 3:27 p.m.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety released information that Arlie Hetrick III was spotted at a gas station in Williams, Arizona, Tuesday, according to our sister station KOLD.

According to KOLD, a follow-up release from the DPS said the West Virginia State Police have not confirmed this sighting.

Gracelynn Scritchfield has been missing since July 6. Police believe she was abducted by her biological father, Hetrick.

West Virginia State Police believe she is in extreme danger.

Hetrick, 26, is described as white, 5-foot-9 and 140 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. Scritchfield is described as white, 3-foot-0, 35 pounds with brown-blonde hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing summer attire.

UPDATED 07/30/19 @ 12:12 p.m.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety has released new information regarding an Amber Alert in Arizona for a missing West Virginia girl.

According to information from DPS, someone reported contact with the suspect at a gas station in Williams, near Flagstaff, on Tuesday, July 30.

A vehicle involved in the alleged abduction of 4-year-old girl Gracelynn Scritchfield was sighted last week in Navajo County, in northeastern Arizona. This sighting prompted Arizona authorities to activate the alert on July 23.

Police are looking for a gold 2001 Subaru Forester with West Virginia license 1TH163.

Scritchfield has been missing since July 6. Police believe she was abducted by her biological father, Arlie Edward Hetrick III.

West Virginia State Police believe she is in extreme danger. No information was provided to explain why they believe she is in danger.

Hetrick, 26, is described as white, 5-foot-9 and 140 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. Scritchfield is described as white, 3-foot-0, 35 pounds with brown-blonde hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing summer attire.

UPDATED 07/23/19

"She's really energetic, she knows what she wants," said Summer Scritchfield Gracelynn's mother.

At 6:47 Monday night an amber alert rang through for 4-year-old Gracelynn Scritchfield. Her mother, Summer begging for help to find her after her dad Arlie Hetrick drove off with her for what was supposed to be his normal 3-day visit time.

"His family has been trying to contact him too," said Scritchfield.

5 News: "Nothing?"

Scritchfield: "Nothing."

Scritchfield says she's been calling Hetrick since the 7th when he was supposed to return with Gracelynn, but a voicemail is all she's been able to reach. When she finally got a hold of him he told her he was taking Gracelynn on a week-long vacation. To which she was against.

"I think he's going to have to be found. I don't think he's going to bring her back on his own time."

Scritchfield says this isn't the first time that Hetrick has acted erratically. She says he's tried to break their shared custody agreement before.

"Him not wanting to bring her back for a couple days. Him not telling me where he's living."

Even if Hetrick took Gracelynn on that vacation, the two should have came back on the 14th.

"I fear that something has happened."

Gracelynn's sister Maelynn is also missing her companion.

"She runs through the house all day long asking for 'sissy' and I keep telling her she's with her dad because I don't know what else to tell her."

A mother crying out to see her daughter again safe and sound.

"I want to know where she is and I want to know if she's safe. I just want her home."

Scritchfield says suspects that someone may be with Hetrick and Gracelynn, but she doesn't know who.

UPDATE 7/23/19 @ 5:43 p.m.

An Amber Alert has now been issued for Arizona regarding a missing 4-year-old girl from West Virginia believed to be in "extreme danger."

Authorities say they believe Gracelynn was taken by her biological father Arlie Hetrick III

Gracelynn Scritchfield disappeared from Fairmont, West Virginia on July 6. Investigators believe her biological father abducted her.

West Virginia State Police troopers say the father is Arlie Edward Hetrick III, also known as Trey.

The vehicle investigators are looking for was spotted on Interstate 40 near Holbrook, Arizona around 11 a.m. (MST) Tuesday. The driver was heading eastbound, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

Troopers say the pair may be traveling in a gold 2001 Gold Subaru Forester. It has West Virginia registration with license number 1TH163. The vehicle may also have two bungee cords securing the rear hatch door.

Gracelynn is described as 3 feet tall, weighs 35 pounds and has brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing summer attire at 785 Husky Highway in Marion County, West Virginia. An exact clothing description is unavailable at this time.

The Amber Alert was issued in Arizona Tuesday, July 23 -- one day after the Amber Alert was issued in West Virginia.

If you have any information on Gracelynn or Arlie, call West Virginia State Police at (304) 627-2300.

UPDATE 07/23/2019 11:40AM

An Amber Alert is still out for 4-year-old Gracelynn Scritchfield who is believed to have been taken by her father Arlie Hetrick.

According to West Virginia State Police they say the pair may be traveling in a gold 2001 Gold Subaru Forester. It has West Virginia registration 1TH163. The vehicle may also have two bungee cords securing the rear hatch door.

If you have any information on Gracelynn or Arlie you are asked to call West Virginia State Police (304) 627-2300

UPDATE 07/22/2019 11:40 p.m.

According to Gracelynn's mother Summer Scritchfield, Gracelynn was taken by her father, Arlie Hetrick, for a routine visit on July 13.

Gracelynn was supposed to be returned home by 6:00 p.m. on July 14, but Summer says she called Hetrick at 6:30 p.m. on July 14th, where she was told by Hetrick that he had taken Gracelynn on a week-long vacation. Summer said she was not told about the vacation prior to the visitation.

Summer said that the trip was supposed to end on July 19, but she did not hear back from Hetrick and made a call to Fairmont police during the July 20-21 weekend.

Summer says she does not know where Hetrick could have gone but said she has heard rumors that he potentially could have gone out-of-state or potentially out-of-country.

Stick with 5 News for further updates.


ORIGINAL STORY 07/22/2019

An Amber Alert has been issued for a 4-year-old girl believed to be "in extreme danger"

West Virginia State Police are looking for Gracelynn June Scritchfield. She is described as 3 feet tall, weighs 35 pounds and has brown hair and blue eyes.

Gracelynn was last seen at 785 Husky Highway in Fairmont, West Virginia.

She was last seen wearing summer attire. An exact description is unavailable at this time.

Authorities say Gracelynn was most likely abducted by biological father, Arlie Edward Hetrick III, also known as Trey.

They say the pair may be traveling in a gold 2001 Gold Subaru Forester. It has West Virginia registration 1TH163.