Amber Alert canceled after teen found in Florida

Missing teen, Jacob West found in Fort Pierce, Fla.

Jacob West

HOUSTON – An Amber Alert was canceled Monday after the 14-year-old it was issued for was found safe in Florida.

The teen left her home in the 15000 block of By The Lake Way near Water Scene Trail on Tuesday afternoon. According to neighbors, she willingly left with 33-year-old Jacob West, a former neighbor.

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Relatives said until recently, they didn't realize that the teen had formed such a close relationship with West.

"We let him stay with us for a couple of weeks because his family was having problems," said the teen's mother.

The teen's mother and grandmother said Monday that she had been found safe at a motel in Fort Pierce, Fla. FBI officials said West was with her and was arrested by the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office.

"Mr. West had two loaded semiautomatic pistols when he was apprehended," St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken J. Mascara.

Officials have not said when the teen and West will return to Houston.

"I started crying," said the teen's mother. "I was excited. I can't wait to go get my baby."

Harris County Precinct 4 deputy constables said they had been called out to the teen's home in the past. According to court documents, the teen's grandmother called 911 when the teen left with West on Jan. 15. A Harris County sheriff's deputy found the pair and the teen returned home.