Nanny in custody, 3-year-old girl found safe after missing for several hours in Battery Park City

NEW YORK (WABC) -- A 3-year-old girl has been found safe and her nanny was placed in police custody after both were reported missing in Manhattan on Tuesday.

Gabriella Russo had last seen with her 55-year-old nanny, Fatima Alexander, Tuesday morning at 9:15 a.m.

The two were seen leaving Gabriella's apartment on River Terrace in Battery Park City.

The nanny was supposed to bring Gabriella to daycare at Preschool of America, located at 25 Market Place.

At noon, the school called her parents saying that their daughter never made it.

The nanny resides on East 53rd Street in Brooklyn.

She had apparently been employed by the Russo family for 15 years.

Before her safe return, the girl's aunt pleaded for the nanny to bring Gabriella home.

"She didn't make it to school and we saw her leave here on camera, so I don't know," said Rebecca Russo, Gabriella's aunt. "You know you see it on the news, and it's happening to me and my family. Just bring her home, that's all, just bring her home."

Gabriella is now back home safe with her family.

Details about where the nanny was with the girl all day are not yet known.