Sunrise Police Find Missing 5-Year-Old

SUNRISE, Fla. (CBSMiami) – Sunrise Police announced just before 7 p.m. that they located missing 5-year-old girl Shahanaj Capers.

It turns out a family miscommunication led to a massive search for the child who was with a family member the entire time.

Friday night, Shahanaj was reunited with her mother.

"I had just got through praying, 'Oh God please, let me hold my baby in my arms again. Let me see and hear her speak to me again," said Khadijah Sattar, the girl's mother.

Police said Shahanaj was last seen by Sattar's mother-in-law around 9 am.

Police tell us that after the mother-in-law left for work she left the child home alone with an adult family friend who was sleeping.

When the family friend awoke at 11 am, police said she realized Shahanaj was gone. Police said the girl's older brother picked her up and did not tell anyone. When family members tried to reach him Friday, his cell phone was not working.

Soon after she realized her daughter was gone, Sattar called the police.

"When I'm calling 8 people and no one can account for her, I panic," said Sattar. "I call for help."

Police officers -- and even Sunrise's mayor, Mike Ryan -- handed out flyers to neighbors in the 5900 block of NW 16 Court.

The police department turned out in force. Sunrise Police Chief John Brooks arrived on scene and officers worked out of the department's mobile command center.

"We're proud of the response," Ryan said. "We're gonna treat every one of these like the worst case scenario because as a parent and as a neighbor, it's just your worst nightmare."