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Preston County kidnapping suspect identified after 2-year-old girl found safe

PRESTON COUNTY, W.Va. — Police said they have found a 2-year-old girl who was kidnapped from Preston County, W.Va., Friday afternoon.

Investigators confirmed to Channel 11 News that the girl was found safe just before 4 p.m. in Washington County.

According to police, the suspect, Timothy White, 23, of Richeyville, Washington County, stole a car with the 2-year-old inside from a gas station in Reedsville, W. Va., just before noon.

The car broke down along Interstate 79 North.

Channel 11's Brandon Hudson reported that after the vehicle broke down, Jim Weid saw White get out of the car at a gas station and proceed to walk down the road with the toddler. Concerned for the child because it was so cold outside, he stopped to find out more about the situation. At that point, the suspect entered his vehicle with the kid.

Weid told Hudson he didn't know at the time that the man was a suspect in a kidnapping. As he continued driving toward his Washington County home, Weid said that he tried to ask the man a few questions, but got no response.

Once Weid arrived at his destination, White exited his vehicle, leaving behind the toddler, got in an Atlantic Broadband van that was left running across the street and took off. That's when the good Samaritan alerted authorities.

White was arrested a short time later in Baldwin. He was taken to the Allegheny County Jail.

Police reunited the girl with her mother in Washington County.

Investigators said the girl was not injured.

It is unclear why White allegedly kidnapped the toddler.