More Questions Follow Discovery Of Missing Hamburg Township Mom, Daughter In Florida

DETROIT (WWJ) - Although they have been found to be safe with family in Florida, questions continue to surround the disappearance this week of a Livingston County woman and her daughter.

Hamburg Township police chief Rick Duffany says 30-year-old Amanda Hayward and her 7-year-old daughter, Sapphire Palmer, were discovered at the home of Hayward's mother in Citrus County, Florida Thursday night.

"There may very well be the case that there's no criminal charges brought," said Duffany. "We are going to do our due diligence and review everything have the prosecutor look at it and see where the chips fall."

They had gone missing on Tuesday ... but why, remains unclear.

"Sapphire was taken into protective custody - pursuant to a court order - without any incident," Duffany said. "We're still looking into the matter."

An Amber Alert was issued for Hayward and her daughter, Sapphire, who left their home in Hamburg Township, south of Brighton, around 3 a.m. on Tuesday and were last seen that night with 64-year old Douglas Steven Stanko, an acquaintance, who is registered as a sex offender in Michigan.

Police say it was through Stanko's cell phone that the trio were tracked to Florida.

"My understanding is the mere fact that he was with her was not a violation so he's not wanted for anything at this point," said Duffany.