Virginia Amber Alert: Julia Ashcroft abducted in Smyth County

UPDATE: The amber alert has been canceled. Julia was found safe.

A Virginia Amber Alert has been issued for 14-year-old Julia Ashcroft from Atkins in Smyth County after she was allegedly abducted by an older man, local officials say. The amber alert has also been extended to Tennessee.

The incident happened at about 2 a.m. on Saturday when Julia was abducted on Candice Lane in the small town of Atkins, according to the amber alert. Specific details about the circumstances of her abduction were not immediately released.

The suspect has been identified as Michael Buchanan, who is described as a 28-year-old white male with brown hair and brown eyes, standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 250 pounds.

Buchanan is believed to have taken Julia in a white 2001 Ford Econoline with Virginia license plate number TVE-3980. It’s unknown where Buchanan may be taking Julia, but the amber alert has been extended to Tennessee.

“The child is believed to be in extreme danger,” Virginia State Police said in the amber alert.

Julia is described as a 14-year-old white female with blonde/brown hair and blue eyes, standing 5 feet tall and weighing 120 pounds. She was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black sweatpants.

Anyone who sees Julia, Buchanan or the suspect vehicle is urged to call 911 immediately, or call the Smyth County Sheriff’s Office at 276-783-7204 if you have any other information that could help investigators.

This is an amber alert. Please check back or follow @BNONews on Twitter as details become available. If you want to receive breaking news alerts by email, click here to sign up. You can also like us on Facebook by clicking here.