The little girl at the centre of an Amber Alert issued earlier this month has been found safe in Hamilton.

Niagara Regional Police say nine-year-old Layla Sabry and her mother Allana Haist were located in the early morning hours of December 12.

Police say they are both in good health and Layla has been returned to her grandparents.

An Amber Alert was issued for Layla on December 2 after the girl’s mother failed to appear for a court hearing. On December 6, police issued a Canada Wide Warrant for Haist in relation to the abduction of her daughter.

Haist is the primary caregiver for the little girl but has been involved in a three-year-long custody battle with the child’s father.

Allan Haist, Layla’s grandfather, reached out to CHCH News yesterday to make a plea to his daughter Allana, asking her to come out of hiding so she can proceed with her custody battle.

“Allana, we know that you feel betrayed by this system and the rush to judgement,” Haist pleaded. “We know that you feel you were not treated fairly. But please, be assured that you and Layla have many supporters and everyone is committed to ensuring that everyone focuses on what is best for Layla.”

Allana Haist, 38, has been charged with Abduction in Contravention of a Custody Order and is schedule to appear in a St. Catharines court later today.