Missing Texas Girl Found Safe
FROM THE DOPPLER 10 FORECAST CENTER… A HEAT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES UNTIL 7 PM FRIDAY… McLENNAN, WILLIAMSON, AND SAN SABA…AFTERNOON HEAT INDEX VALUES TODAY AND FRIDAY WILL RISE TO BETWEEN 105 AND 110 DEGREES...WHILE OVERNIGHT LOWS TONIGHT WILL STRUGGLE TO FALL BELOW 80 DEGREES…PERSONS INVOLVED IN VIGOROUS OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES ARE URGED TO TAKE FREQUENT BREAKS AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER…
Missing Texas Girl Found Safe Save Email Print

A | A | A

(November 21, 2008)—Jewel Noel Klein, 6, who was the focus of an Amber Alert issued earlier this week, was found safe Friday in Austin.

Austin police spokeswoman Anna Sabana told the Austin American Statesman officers found the girl Friday after they pulled over a car that matched the description of the vehicle stolen from the girl’s grandmother.

Comal County authorities issued the Amber Alert after the girl’s mother, Tonya Renee Martin, 41, took Klein Tuesday from Rebecca Creek Elementary School in Spring Branch.

Authorities said they also suspected Martin of severely beating her 68-year-old mother Melba Balantac.

The Houston Chronicle and the San Antonio Express-News reported that deputies were able to communicate with Balantac for a short time.

Deputies said she was able to give them some information, implicating her daughter.

Investigators realized Jewel was missing only after Balantac was taken to the hospital.

Reynolds said Martin was seen driving Balantac's blue Hyundai Sonata before the assault.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether Martin was in the car that Austin police pulled over.

More Stories
Drug Testing Ordered For Mother Of Murdered Mexia Boy

5-Year-Old Shooting Victim Identified

Manhunt Underway After Violent Central Texas Assault

Swine Flu Claims Life Of Temple Woman

Texas Man Charged With Capital Murder In Infant Daughter’s Disappearance

One-Car Accident Claims Life Of 35-Year-Old Central Texas Man

Teenage Texas Counselor Hacks Opossum To Death

Five Die Thursday When Train Hits Car

Post Your Comments
First Name:
Location:
Enter Comments: characters left
Email (optional):
By posting this comment I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy:
You must agree to the Terms of Service to continue.
Read Comments
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: Candy Location: Waco on Nov 24, 2008 at 01:57 AM
Thank God the girl is home safe.

Posted by: Patriot Location: Texas on Nov 23, 2008 at 07:26 PM
People shouldn't even respond to coward web trolls that post stupidity under "Anonymous". They are lowly idiots with no life but their computer screen and get their high/kicks from your responses. I'm glad this little girl was found safe!!

Posted by: From 'round Here Location: Gatesville on Nov 22, 2008 at 07:25 PM
PRAISE GOD for her safe discovery and return.

Posted by: lmn on Nov 22, 2008 at 03:37 PM
and who is "yall"

Posted by: ME Location: waco on Nov 22, 2008 at 02:56 PM
the person who wrote that all of us want to talk about black people is dumbfounded cuz obviously they didnt read or look at the pic cuz that little girl is WHITE not BLACK so before someone wants to leave comments or anything else really need to figure what they r talking about before doing it.

Posted by: jim Location: Iraq on Nov 22, 2008 at 02:56 PM
This a young girl the nex generation we are talking about Thank god and the Texas law Inforcement officers they have her back Why do people want to make it a race thing 200 years and learned nothing

Posted by: Texas Location: Texas on Nov 22, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 22, 2008 at 09:46 AM And yall want to talk about black people and their crimes.. Why is this comment necessary here? How do you know anyone here talks about black people and their crimes? Go away with the racist garbage. Thank goodness they found this little girl alive.

Posted by: Lynz Location: Temple on Nov 22, 2008 at 01:46 PM
Anonymous ~~~ That's very courageous of you to post a comment like that under "anonymous". But, there are idiots everywhere. Anyway, I'm glad this little one was found safe! Now put the mother away for beating up her own mother!

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 22, 2008 at 09:46 AM
And yall want to talk about black people and their crimes..

Posted by: hdizzle Location: h-boro on Nov 22, 2008 at 07:18 AM
Thank goodness they found her safe. Now do something with that psycho of a mother she has and make sure that poor little girl never has to worry about her anymore!!!

Posted by: Anon Location: Waco on Nov 21, 2008 at 08:31 PM
I am so glad that she was found. This mom needs some desperate help. I think the school should have been a lot more on alert than to have let her mom come in and take her when she didn't have custody of her in the first place. What were they thinking? I think the grandmother needs an explanation.

Posted by: Linda Location: Marlin on Nov 21, 2008 at 03:24 PM
All of you remember the song we learned as small children. "Jesus Loves The Little Children" this just proves the song is correct. Praise God the child was found safe.

Posted by: Misty Location: Tx on Nov 21, 2008 at 03:23 PM
According to KVUE, it was not the mother driving. But he told her were they were. They were staying with someone who thought they were homeless and were not aware of the Amber Alert.

Posted by: Michelle Location: Central TX on Nov 21, 2008 at 03:03 PM
Wonderful news....hope the grandmother recovers and the mom gets punished to the fullest. Did you know that Myspace.com also had the amber alert for her...I thought that was cool!!!

Posted by: susiebw Location: kempner on Nov 21, 2008 at 02:46 PM
Thank God.

Posted by: Bob Location: Belton on Nov 21, 2008 at 02:32 PM
Cudo's to the police and thanks to all police departments everywhere for a job you do.

Posted by: Yep Location: Cove on Nov 21, 2008 at 02:23 PM
So gald this little girl was found safe. And since it is a happy ending I can say this. Does anyone know if Austin police spokeswoman Anna Sabana is in any way related to Rosanna Rosanadana?

Posted by: C Location: Waco on Nov 21, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Happy Ending

KWTX.com Features
Double Dollar Deals
Half Price Deals at Central Texas restaurants and businesses. A new deal every Thursday at 7:00am.
Boss of the Month
Who is Central Texas’ best boss? Nominate your supervisor for Boss of the Month!
Golden Apple
Your chance to nominate an outstanding teacher. Find out how they are making a difference in classrooms.
Emily Wants to Know
Emily Matthews' inquisitive look at life in Central Texas.
10 On Your Side
Answers from our experts on topics that affect YOU.
Job of the Week
Click now to see hundreds of other jobs on Job Board TV!


Full-Time Physical Therapist - Join Metroplex Health System in Killeen as a Full-Time Physical Therapist in our Pediatric Rehabilitation Department. Metroplex offers a very competitive hourly wage and benefits plan. Join Metroplex in “Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ”.

Also, take a look at the most recent jobs posted to Job Board TV at KWTX.com:
View More Jobs.