Amber Alert issued after 3-year-old taken by mother in Worcester

A 3-year-old girl has been taken by her mother and the Massachusetts State Police have issued an Amber Alert for the child after the mother threatened to harm the child.

Worcester police said Ella Abbott was taken by 38-year-old Leeann Rickheit from the child's 339 Greenwood St. home at about 7:45 p.m. Ella is described as standing three-feet tall with brown hair, brown eyes and weighing about 40 pounds.  She was last seen wearing a purple or dark colored top. 

Leeann Rickheit is described as standing approximately 5-foot, 11-inches tall and weighing 170 pounds. 

Rickheit is believed to be driving a blue, 2007 Hyundai Sonata with Massachusetts registration number 4PG367.

Rickheit has a history in the Charlton area.

If anyone has information about either the child or her mother, they are asked to contact Worcester police at 508-799-8606.