Emergency Mass Alert Sent to All Disney World Guests Following Kidnapping

Guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort or in the surrounding Orlando area likely noticed an Amber Alert light up their cell phones this morning after an 8-month-old went missing and is predicted to be heading into the Disney World bubble.

When guests think about their Disney World vacation, their biggest worry may be the length of the line for Flight of Passage at Animal Kingdom, or getting off of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train with enough time to get to the front of Cinderella Castle for the Magic Kingdom firework show, Happily Ever After. While Disney World is meant to be the most magical place on earth, reality does tend to break through the bubble at times. 

As noted by Click Orlando, “An Amber Alert was issued Wednesday morning for an 8-month-old girl missing out of Davie who may be with a Broward County woman, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.” We were on Disney property this morning when the alert went off, and it popped up onto our phones, as well as other guests in our surrounding vicinity.

This missing child’s name is Amelia Martinez, and she “was last seen in the 4900 block of SW 148 Avenue in Davie, described as 1 foot in height and 35 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes, the alert states.”

Below is the rest of the description for Amelia, as well as the information as to who to contact if you believe you can provide any information.”

“Amelia may be in the company of Arys Martinez, 34, of Davie, who authorities described as 5 feet, 5 inches tall and 140 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. The FDLE said the woman and child might be traveling to the Orlando area in a white 2021 Toyota Camry with the Florida tag AZ8-9FY. Anyone who sees Amelia or Arys Martinez or knows their whereabouts is urged to contact FDLE or the Davie Police Department at 954-693-8200 or 911.”

The Orange County Sheriff Department has also taken to X to share a photo of Amelia, as well as Arys Martinez who is said to have taken her.

Please be on the lookout for this vehicle. Call 911 if you spot it.
#AMBERAlert

Please be on the lookout for this vehicle. Call 911 if you spot it.#AMBERAlert https://t.co/V4M0AavsZa

— Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) February 21, 2024

Arys Martinez is described as a 34-year-old white woman with brown eyes and brown hair. She is 5’5″ and weighs 140 pounds.

It was not stated why the two would be headed to Orlando at this time.

What Happens to Lost Children at Disney World?

If you ever lose your child at Walt Disney World, whether you are at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, or even your resort, cast members are trained to help. 

Typically, a lost child at Disney World does not mean that they were taken, but that the child and their parents or caretaker have accidentally split up. With such high crowd levels and a child’s interest to explore the theme parks, losing a child is more common than one may think. Whether the cast member notices the wandering child first or the child approaches them for help, cast members ensure that the child feels safe, knowing that they will get help to find their parents.

Of course, parents would also find a cast member to report the missing child, and once both parties are located, they are brought back together. 

Disney World is also riddled with cameras watching every move of guests, so security footage can also locate what happened to any guest at any point while in the parks, or anywhere on the property.

Have you ever noticed a lost child at Walt Disney World Resort?