MOUNT HOREB, Wis. — The mother of kidnapped journalist Shelly Kittleson is communicating with the FBI, she told News 3 Now.<\/p>\n
Kittleson, a 49-year-old from Mount Horeb, was reporting in Baghdad for independent news site AL-Monitor when she was taken. The Iraqi interior ministry confirmed her abduction on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Speaking to News 3 Now, Kittleson’s mother said she had last heard from her daughter on Monday and that she was “fine then.” She said Shelly would email her twice a week.<\/p>\n
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson said a person with ties to the Iranian-aligned militia group Kataib Hizballah was taken into custody by Iraqi authorities in connection with Kittleson’s kidnapping.<\/p>\n
Johnson said the State Department had previously warned Kittleson of threats against her and that the agency would work with the FBI “to ensure their release as quickly as possible.”<\/p>\n
Kittleson graduated from Darlington High School, and her mother said journalism was “her life.”<\/p>\n
In a statement, the Darlington Community School District said it was aware of Kittleson’s kidnapping.<\/p>\n
“Our thoughts are with Shelly and her family during this incredibly difficult time,” the district said. “We are hopeful for her safe return and are keeping her, her loved ones and all those impacted in our thoughts.”<\/p>\n
The district said it would not make further comment out of respect for Kittleson’s family and “the sensitivity of this situation.”<\/p>\n
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