Florida Girl, Accused Abductor Found in Memphis, Tennessee

LAKELAND, FL — A 4-year-old Lakeland girl and her accused abductor have been located in Memphis, Tennessee. The child is safe, and the man accused of taking her is now in custody.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office confirmed the safe recovery of Rebecca Lewis Monday afternoon. The man accused of taking her, West Wild Hogs, 31, is now in custody in Memphis. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement canceled its Amber Alert for Lewis just before 3:30 p.m. Monday.

The search for Rebecca spanned five states with an Amber Alert issued in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky. The child was reported missing from her Lakeland home Saturday morning.

Rebecca and Hogs were seen at 2:28 a.m. Oct. 10, officials say.

The search for Rebecca began on Saturday, Oct. 8 after her 16-year-old sister woke up and found her missing from her bed. Rebecca’s family searched around their home in the Lazy Dazy Retreat RV/Mobile Home Park off U.S. 98 for about an hour before calling the sheriff’s office.

Authorities say Hogs, who had his name legally changed from Matthew Clark Pybus, is believed to have taken Rebecca. Hogs is a longtime friend of Rebecca's family, the sheriff's office said. He is from Seale, Alabama. Authorities say Hogs showed up unannounced in Polk County on Oct. 7 and arrived at the family’s home on Oct. 8.

Hogs and Rebecca had been spotted in several locations since the search began. According to the sheriff’s office, sightings included:

• Saturday, Oct. 8 at 9:30 a.m. – Hogs and Rebecca were seen on store video at a McDonald’s on U.S. 98 in Lakeland near Rebecca’s home.
• Saturday, Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m. – Hogs and the child were seen in Forsythe, Georgia, at a gas station off Interstate 75. Rebecca was reportedly wearing a pink dress with colored leggings at the time. She appeared to be in good health. Authorities say Hogs was wearing a light colored T-shirt and blue jeans.
• Monday, Oct. 10 at 2:28 a.m. – The two were seen in Nashville.

Photos courtesy of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office