Mansfield , the north-Central Ohio city where the girl and her mother live . `` I am very happy that my granddaughter 's coming home , '' said Mary Watson , Haylee 's grandmother . `` And I just want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart . '' Watson , 24 , and Potter , 27 , were arrested without incident and held by the San Diego County Sheriff 's Department . When asked their reaction , Elliott said , `` I believe a little shocked that we were able to find them . '' Potter and Watson were still using the same vehicle , a 1980s blue Chevrolet pickup truck they drove from Ohio , Elliott said . Watson 's hair was a bit darker and Potter also changed his appearance slightly . Authorities had feared Haylee was endangered . Potter , a sex offender , had escaped a half-way house on May 28 , the day the girl and her mother fell out of sight . Countless tips came in while they were missing but one in particular led to the breakthrough on Tuesday , Elliott said without elaborating . But a tip
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A 4-year-old Ohio girl who vanished more than three weeks ago was found alive and in good condition , halfway across the country in southern California , authorities said . Haylee Donathan was found with her mother and her mother 's boyfriend , fugitive sex offender Robbie Potter . Haylee Donathan , her mother Candace Watson and Robbie Potter were discovered hiding for the past week at The Morning Star Ranch , a retreat in Valley Center , near San Diego , said Peter Elliott , United States Marshal for the Northern District of Ohio . Potter is a registered sex offender , officials said . He was being sought by the U.S. Marshal 's Service . Late Tuesday Haylee was in the custody of a children 's protective services agency in the San Diego County area , Elliott said . She was doing well but may have chicken pox , he added . `` We understand she is healthy and happy and I believe , waiting to come back to her grandmother here , '' he said . Watch authorities announce their find '' The journey west took them more than two thousand miles from