safety
Father arrested after missing Big Spring teen found safe
By Jesse Zaragoza at KMID ABC Big 2 / YourBasin (Permian Basin ABC)
· June 24, 2026
· 1 min read
LATEST UPDATE (6/25/26): The Big Spring Police Department has issued an update regarding the AMBER ALERT that was issued Wednsday. According to officials, after the AMBER alert was issued on June 24, 2026, at approximately 4:40 p.m., police were able to locate and arrest 48-year-old Steven D. Ric...
Key takeaway , police were able to locate and arrest 48-year-old Steven D.
Why this matters in The Midland
The swift resolution of the Amber Alert for 14-year-old Audrey Rich in Big Spring brings relief to the community, and the role of Texas DPS in locating her cannot be overstated. This incident also underscores the cooperation between local law enforcement and state agencies in the Permian Basin area, which is crucial in cases like this. The fact that Audrey was found after an Amber Alert was issued highlights the effectiveness of this system in mobilizing the public and law enforcement to locate missing children quickly. As the community breathes a sigh of relief, it's worth noting that the safety of children is a top priority in Midland County and surrounding areas, and incidents like this remind residents of the importance of vigilance and cooperation with authorities. The successful outcome of this case is a testament to the strong partnership between law enforcement agencies and the public in the region.
About this story
Original reporting by KMID ABC Big 2 / YourBasin (Permian Basin ABC) . The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KMID ABC Big 2 / YourBasin (Permian Basin ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: KMID ABC Big 2 / YourBasin (Permian Basin ABC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The Midland stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? LATEST UPDATE (6/25/26): The Big Spring Police Department has issued an update regarding the AMBER ALERT that was issued Wednsday. According to officials, after the AMBER alert was issued on June 24, 2026, at approximately 4:40 p.m., police were able to locate and arrest 48-year-old Steven D. Ric...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by KMID ABC Big 2 / YourBasin (Permian Basin ABC) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jesse Zaragoza at KMID ABC Big 2 / YourBasin (Permian Basin ABC). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter