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Girl Reported As Missing In Brentwood Found At Preschool

BRENTWOOD (KDKA) -- There was a heavy police presence in Brentwood Tuesday afternoon when police say a woman reported her 4-year-old as missing while all the time she was just in preschool.

Police say they have now charged the mother with possession.

When the little girl was brought home in a Brentwood Police car, she had no idea what all the fuss was about. But earlier in the day, she was reported missing by her mother.

"Apparently, the mother is having some issues and she had her days confused," said Chief Robert Butelli, of Brentwood Police.

"There was probably at least 50 people, on the low end, that were scouring the area looking for the child," said Sgt. Matthew DeLallo.

That included police officers from several departments assisting Brentwood, plus state police, Pittsburgh homicide and search dogs.

But the child wasn't missing; she was at St. Norbert Preschool all along.

"The mother forgot that she drove her child to the daycare, signed her in and dropped her off," said Sgt. DeLallo.

Authorities say Ashley Mulhalland herself admitted it, saying it was her mistake.

KDKA's Brenda Waters: "What happened? Can you tell me what happened? Did you get your days mixed up?"

Mulhalland: "Yes. I didn't realize it was Tuesday and I figured she was home with me, and she was at school, so I panicked as any other normal parent would."

But police arrested her at the scene on drug-related possession charges.

"She definitely has narcotics, either they're prescribed to her or not, in her system from her own admission," Sgt. DeLallo said.

RELATED LINKS:
More Brentwood News
More Reports by Brenda Waters

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