The Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) assisted in a recent AMBER Alert issued by the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office for a missing 7-year-old child named Brynlee Nelson

City News January 22, 2026

The child was reported missing after last being seen at approximately 3:55 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 21, near the 26000 block of 13th Street West in Zimmerman, Minn. At that time, she was reported to be wearing a black jacket, white boots, and blue snow pants, with a pink sweatshirt and black pants underneath. She was carrying a backpack with keychains and trinkets. Brynlee was described as being 4 feet 7 inches tall, weighing about 70 pounds, with blonde hair and hazel eyes.

A black vehicle had been observed in the area following the school bus, though it was unknown whether the vehicle was related to her disappearance.

In the early morning hours of Jan. 22, at approximately 12:34 a.m., Albert Lea Police were notified of a vehicle traveling southbound on Interstate 35 that was potentially associated with the active AMBER Alert. Officers located the vehicle in the Albert Lea area and conducted a traffic stop.

During the investigation, officers confirmed a juvenile female inside the vehicle was Brynlee Nelson. She was safely recovered, and Joseph Andrew Bragg, a 28-year-old male from Maple Grove, Minn., was taken into custody.

Brynlee was transported to Mayo Clinic Health System – Albert Lea for medical evaluation and was later reunited with her family.

The ALPD was assisted by the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office and Mayo Ambulance Service.

This incident highlights the importance of public awareness, interagency coordination, and swift law enforcement response during AMBER Alerts. AMBER stands for America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response, a system for public alerts during child abductions.

For additional information regarding the AMBER Alert, contact the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office.

For immediate release
Jan. 22, 2026
Media Contact: Deputy Police Chief Darin Palmer at 507-377-5217 or DPalmer@ci.albertlea.mn.us

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The mission of the Albert Lea Police Department is to enhance the quality of life in Albert Lea by providing excellent public safety services through leadership, integrity, and collaborative partnerships with our community.