safety
Father arrested after missing Big Spring teen found safe following Amber Alert
By Tamlyn Price at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· June 25, 2026
· 1 min read
BIG SPRING, Texas (KOSA) - A father has been arrested after his 14-year-old daughter, who was the subject of a statewide Amber Alert, was found safe.According to Big Spring Police Department, 48-year-old Steven D’Wayne Rich was taken into custody and faces a charge of interference with child cust...
Key takeaway Authorities launched an Amber Alert earlier this week after Audrey Rich, 14, was reported missing.
Why this matters in The Midland
The safe recovery of 14-year-old Audrey Rich is a welcome relief for the Big Spring community, and the swift action by local law enforcement agencies in issuing a statewide Amber Alert played a crucial role in bringing her home. The fact that multiple agencies across Texas were involved in the search highlights the strong collaborative efforts in place to address child safety concerns in the Permian Basin area. As the case against Audrey's father, Steven D'Wayne Rich, moves forward, it will be important to monitor how the charge of interference with child custody is prosecuted, given the serious implications for family dynamics and child welfare in the region. The Big Spring Police Department's handling of the investigation will also be closely watched, particularly in terms of how they balance the need to hold individuals accountable with the need to provide support and resources to families in crisis.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . 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 KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? BIG SPRING, Texas (KOSA) - A father has been arrested after his 14-year-old daughter, who was the subject of a statewide Amber Alert, was found safe.According to Big Spring Police Department, 48-year-old Steven D’Wayne Rich was taken into custody and faces a charge of interference with child cust...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Tamlyn Price at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). 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 .
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