McCready ordered to return son

Mindy McCready, shown here in 2006, has waged a public battle with drug addiction over the past several years.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Singer ordered to produce her son, 5, by Thursday afternoon


• Publicist said child is not missing, no Amber Alert issued


• Parents of entertainer have legal custody of boy

(Entertainment News) -- Country music singer Mindy McCready, ordered to return her 5-year-old son, said Wednesday he is not missing and no Amber Alert has been issued.

McCready, 36, was ordered by a Florida judge to produce her son Zander, for whom she does not have legal custody, by 5 p.m. ET Thursday, officials said.

A case worker Tuesday went to the home of McCready's father, but could not find McCready or the child, said Terri Durdaller, spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Children and Families.

The case worker became "concerned about the well being" of the child and contacted law enforcement, a report obtained from the Cape Coral Police Department said.

McCready told HLN on Wednesday that her son is fine.

"Ms. McCready has not been charged with illegal wrongdoings," publicist Kat Atwood said in a statement. "Ms. McCready's number one priority has always been, and continues to be, the safety of her son. The 5-year-old boy has been with his mother for more than 30 days; law enforcement officials spoke with the child and saw Zander via Skype yesterday."

Cape Coral police spokesman Lt. Tony Sizemore told Entertainment News the issue is currently a "civil matter" and that there is no missing child alert.

McCready's parents have legal custody of the child, although the entertainer has visitation rights, Durdaller said.

A case worker reported no problems during a visit last week, but that was not the case Tuesday, said Aimee McLaughlin, director of communications for the Children's Network of Southwest Florida, lead agency for child welfare services.

"When she went to the home yesterday for an unannounced visit, it became apparent Ms. McCready left the area with her son," McLaughlin said.

"We are working with family members to locate the child," said McLaughlin. "The child's safety is our primary concern."

McCready has asked a court to have her son returned to her out of concern over his safety, Atwood said.

If Zander is not returned by the court-mandated deadline, law enforcement may be given an order to retrieve him, McLaughlin said.

McCready has waged a public battle with drug addiction over the past several years and was a participant in the 2009 season of the reality TV show "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew."