Updated: Amber Alert for twins canceled. Mother taken into custody by Kentucky police

Kentucky State Police canceled an Amber Alert for missing twin 7-year-old girls Thursday morning. The alert was put out Wednesday when the girls were believed to be with their mother, who had a history of mental illness.

The girls were located with their mother Thursday morning. Their mother was taken into custody, according to a Facebook post from KSP.

A mentally ill mother whose condition was exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic was being sought Wednesday night by Kentucky State Police in the disappearance of her twin 7-year-old daughters, according to authorities who issued an Amber Alert.

Isabella and Audrianna Blanchard were with their mother, Neely Blanchard, 33, in Dawson Springs when she was last seen Monday by a friend she was visiting, police said. The girls live with their grandmother, and legal guardian Susan Blanchard in Russelville. Neely Blanchard visited the girls before leaving with them Friday to see the friend in Dawson Springs.

Neely Blanchard has a history of mental illness “compounded by the coronavirus pandemic,” according to the Amber Alert issued by Kentucky State Police.

“She is a self proclaimed sovereign citizen that is in possession of a handgun,” the alert said.

Blanchard was driving a black Ford Escape with a Florida license plate “ECLAUSE.”

Susan Blanchard believes Neely may be going to South Carolina where her 11-year-old daughter resides with a grandmother who has custody of the girl.

This story was originally published March 25, 2020 at 10:57 PM.