The pair had not been seen since about 8 a.m. that morning, when Sophia's parents, David and Melissa Arnold of Grabruck Drive, left the home. David Arnold reported his daughter missing to police about 4 p.m. that day.
Authorities and friends were unable to locate Clark, but she returned with Sophia, unharmed, to the Arnold home about 3:45 a.m. Saturday and was taken into custody. She told authorities that she had lost track of time while shopping and visiting friends in Winchester.
No sinister intent involved
David Arnold said that Clark, who had worked for the family for three years, did not appear to have any "sinister intent" in taking his daughter and that nothing like that had occurred before.
Williamson said Tuesday that police are still trying to confirm Clark's whereabouts on the night she disappeared but had not turned up anything so far that would contradict her story.
The detective said there is no indication that Clark has suffered from any sort of mental illness, other than relatives saying that she had a habit of disappearing for a day or two without telling anyone.
There is no indication Clark was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, he said.
A check of court records in Boyle County turned up no criminal record for Clark. Records show that her ex-husband, Millard Clark, filed for divorce in 2001 while he was an inmate at Northpoint Training Center. The couple married in Woodford County in 1997.
Nothing significant learned from child
Williamson said Danville Detective A.J. Burnett, who is trained in interviewing children, spoke with Sophia on Monday but did not learn anything significant from the child.
"You're dealing with a 3-year-old. All she could do was say what she had to eat and talk about her dolls," Williamson said.
Williamson there is no indication that the child was physically harmed.
Williamson said the charge of custodial interference applies to a person who has custody of a child even though "you know you do not have any right to that custody." A charge of kidnapping did not apply in this case, Williamson said, because there was no other criminal activity involving the child and no request for ransom.
Williamson said he does not anticipate any additional charges being filed against Clark.
