A Turquoise Alert has been issued for 6-year-old Violet Coultas, who was last seen at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport earlier this month, authorities announced Wednesday
According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), Violet was spotted with her mother, Sarah Coultas, 48, at the airport at 10:01 p.m. on July 12. The alert was activated at the request of the Hawaii Police Department, which alleges that Sarah fled Hawaii with Violet in violation of a court order.
Violet is described as 3 feet 10 inches tall, with blonde hair and hazel eyes. She was last seen wearing a white shirt, pink jacket, pink sweater, light-colored shorts, and white shoes.
Sarah Coultas is 5 feet 11 inches tall with brown hair and hazel eyes.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Hawaii Police Department at (808) 935-3311. Authorities have not released additional details regarding the circumstances of the case.
What Is a Turquoise Alert?
Turquoise Alerts are a relatively new public safety tool in Arizona. Signed into law by Governor Katie Hobbs in May, the alert system was created following the tragic disappearance and death of a San Carlos Apache teen, which prompted calls for a system tailored to vulnerable missing persons.
Under the law, a Turquoise Alert may be issued when a person under the age of 65 goes missing under unexplained or suspicious circumstances, and law
How It Differs from an Amber Alert
While both systems are designed to help locate missing individuals, Amber Alerts are specifically used for abducted children. The criteria require a credible threat of imminent danger, such as serious injury or death, and do not apply to runaways or custody-related disputes unless those threats are present.
Turquoise Alerts broaden the scope to include other potentially dangerous situations involving missing people who may not meet Amber Alert requirements.
As of now, the Turquoise Alert for Violet Coultas remains active, and authorities continue to investigate her whereabouts.
