Missing 12-Year-Old Habersham County Girl Safely Recovered in Florida Thanks to Technology

HABERSHAM COUNTY, Georgia – The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office says technology and strong communication between agencies led to the safe recovery of a missing 12-year-old girl from northeast Georgia.

Authorities said the girl disappeared from the Mt. Airy area on Thursday, May 21.

During the investigation and search efforts, deputies learned the child had reportedly left with an individual in a vehicle that may have been headed toward the Georgia coast.

Investigators obtained the vehicle’s license plate information and entered it into the Flock Safety license plate reader system while also tracking cellphone location data.

Officials said both the vehicle and cellphone later pinged in the same area near Daytona Beach.

Lt. Justin Williams with the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office then contacted the Daytona Beach Police Department through a professional connection developed during the annual Police Unity Tour.

Authorities said Williams provided Daytona Beach officers with vehicle details, travel direction, and the most recent location information.

According to investigators, Daytona Beach officers located and stopped the vehicle within approximately 15 minutes and confirmed the missing girl was safe.

The driver, identified as 30-year-old Nathanial Tyler Williamson of Rayle, GA, was taken into custody.

Williamson is currently charged with interstate interference with custody. Authorities said additional charges are possible as the investigation continues.

Habersham County Sheriff Robin Krockum said the case demonstrates how license plate reader technology can assist law enforcement in locating missing people while only collecting vehicle-related information rather than personal data.