Henry County Sheriffs Office: Amber Alert Successful - - Missing Juvenile Found Safe

Hannah Sue Kennish

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce that Hannah Sue Kennish, age 13, who was reported missing from her residence in Montrose, Missouri, on Sunday, March 29^th, has been located in the vicinity of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is safe. The New Mexico State Police conducted a traffic stop on an interstate highway, based on information broadcasted during an Amber Alert, which was issued around 1:30 p.m. today.

During the traffic stop, which was conducted shortly before 3:30 p.m., Hannah was located as a passenger in a 2013 Ford F-150 pick-up truck, being driven by Raymond Vallia, age 55, of Albuquerque, NM. Vallia was taken into custody by New Mexico authorities, while Hannah was taken from the scene and transported to safety.

Henry County Prosecuting Attorney Richard Shields has issued a warrant for Raymond Vallia, alleging the Class A Felony of Child Kidnapping, which carries a minimum of 10 years, up to 30 years or a life confinement in the Missouri Department of Corrections. Vallia is currently being held in New Mexico, on a $250,000 cash only bond, awaiting extradition back to Missouri. Federal charges may also be filed against Vallia regarding this incident in the next couple of days.

Raymond Vallia

Evidence recovered from several electronic devices located in the home, led to the discovery of online communication over a period of at least four (4) months, between Kennish and Vallia. This communication took place over several different websites, as well as public social media sites.

Detective Sgt. Mike Nelson and Deputy Randy Koenke were very instrumental in developing possible suspect information on Sunday afternoon from the various social media sites. With that information, the Rural Missouri Major Case Squad was activated by the Sheriff’s Office on Monday morning and including staff from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Investigators were able to put together enough information to meet the guidelines and criteria to issue an Amber Alert. Once the Amber Alert was issued, several tips were received that led to the discovery of the vehicle being driven by Vallia near Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Hundreds of telephone calls were received after the issuance of the Amber Alert, many of which were fielded by the Henry County 9-1-1 Center and then routed to investigators working the case.