Executive Summary
- Safe Recovery: 7-year-old Brynlee Nelson was recovered safe in Albert Lea following an AMBER Alert.
- Suspect Arrested: Police arrested 28-year-old Joseph Andrew Bragg of Maple Grove during a traffic stop on I-35.
- Critical Tip: A tip from the public regarding a vehicle on the interstate led officers to the suspect.
- Interagency Effort: The operation involved coordination between Albert Lea Police, Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office, and Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities in Minnesota successfully recovered a missing 7-year-old girl and arrested a suspect early Thursday morning following a traffic stop on Interstate 35, concluding an AMBER Alert issued by the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office. The Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) confirmed that the child, Brynlee Nelson, was found safe inside the vehicle and has since been reunited with her family.
According to the ALPD, the investigation began after Nelson was reported missing on Wednesday afternoon. She was last seen near the 26000 block of 13th Street West in Zimmerman, Minnesota. Investigators noted that a black vehicle had been observed following the child’s school bus in the area prior to her disappearance, though the specific connection was initially unclear. Based on the developing situation, the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office issued an AMBER Alert to mobilize public assistance.
Law enforcement officials stated that a crucial tip was received early Thursday regarding a vehicle traveling on Interstate 35 that matched the description linked to the alert. Acting on this intelligence, Albert Lea officers located the vehicle and conducted a high-risk traffic stop within the city limits. Inside the vehicle, officers located the missing child and identified the driver as Joseph Andrew Bragg, a 28-year-old resident of Maple Grove.
Following the rescue, Nelson was transported to the Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea for a precautionary medical evaluation before being cleared to return to her family. The operation involved coordination between multiple agencies, including the ALPD, the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office, and Mayo Ambulance Service.
Investigative Outlook and Legal Proceedings
The successful recovery of the victim highlights the critical role of the AMBER Alert system in facilitating rapid interagency communication and soliciting real-time public intelligence during child abduction cases. As the investigation transitions from a rescue operation to criminal proceedings, law enforcement will likely focus on establishing the motive and timeline of events leading to the abduction. Joseph Andrew Bragg remains in custody pending formal charges. It is important to note that all individuals, including Bragg, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
