According to a press release from the Lyons Police Department they were notified around 12:00 noon on Saturday, April 6, 2024 that the missing Candler County mother, Wendy Salter, 45 and her daughter Stella, 7, were located in Puerto Rico and are safe.
Stella was turned over to her father and Wendy has been taken into custody and charged with Interstate Interference with Child Custody. Wendy will go thru extradition proceedings before being brought back to Toombs County.
The Lyons Police Department thanked all the law enforcement agencies that assisted with this investigation. The the FBI, US Marshall Service, GBI, Toombs County DA’s Office, Candler County Sheriff’s office, and the Metter Police Department all played integral parts in bringing this to a good resolution.
Having the ability to reach out to federal and state partners and utilizing their resources were key to their success in locating them.
This is an ongoing investigation and more information will be released as it develops.
Initial Story
Wendy Salter of Candler County and daughter Stella were reported missing on Tuesday morning, April 2, 2024. They were last seen in Lyons on Friday, March 29.
The last contact made with Wendy Powell Salter, 45, and her daughter Stella, 7, was on Friday, March 29, 2024 when Wendy picked up Stella in Lyons, Georgia.
Wendy is believed to be traveling in a 2007 Gold Volvo with a tag GEE 777. All phone records are being reviewed to determine a known location.
Salter's cell phone was last pinged on Wednesday, April 3 from the Orlando, Florida area. There was also a Facebook post made to Salter's Facebook page on Tuesday, April 2nd.
Wendy is a resident of Candler County and the Candler County Sheriff's department is assisting the Lyons Police Department in the search for them. John Miles, Candler County Sheriff confirmed to Grice Connect on Wednesday evening April 3rd that they are still missing and they are supporting the Lyons Police Department in any way that they can.
Stella is a student at Cotton Rose dance studio in Statesboro, Georgia. Many of Wendy and Stella's friends in Statesboro have been sharing their pictures on social media as well and assisting where they can in helping locate the mother and daughter.
On Thursday, April 4, 2024, Jerri Goodman with the Metter Advertiser reported that the Lyons Police Chief Wesley Walker had learned that Wendy Salter purchased airline tickets for herself and daughter Stella in Orlando, FL, and flew to San Juan, Puerto Rico.