Berkeley police find missing 5-year-old girl taken by mother

BERKELEY (KTVU/BCN)-- Berkeley police announced at 11:29 a.m. that the child has been found safe, and 34 year-old Laquita Davis, the child's mother, is in custody in Pittsburg.

Police said Mayalyia Booker was last seen with her mother, 34-year-old Laquita Davis, in the 1500 block of Prince Street Friday afternoon. Police describe Davis as a woman with diminished capacity.

At a media briefing, Sgt. Andrew Frankel with Berkeley P.D. said two of three search dogs with the Alameda County Search and Rescue K9 Unit indicated that Davis had gotten on BART. The dogs have been searching the neighborhood since the child went missing. Police are working with BART P.D. on the case and to review surveillance videos. 

Frankel added that the mother is not supposed to have custody of the child and that it was the grandmother that called to report the two had gone missing. Police say the mother is homeless and has "diminished capacity." 

“We don’t have any concerns that the child is in any imminent danger. We are concerned that the child is supposed to be with dad and grandma," said Frankel.

Mayalyia is described by police as being between 3-foot-6 and 4-feet tall with a thin build, brown hair and brown eyes.

Police say Mayalyia has short hair in twists and was wearing a black shirt, black pants and gray tennis shoes.

Davis is described as 5-foot 8-inches tall, weighing 172 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, and has two braids and was last seen wearing a black jacket and blue jeans.

Berkeley police say people who have information for the investigation should call 911 or contact them at (510) 981-5900.