( CNN ) -- 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 Robbi Potter . Haylee Donathan , her mother , Candace Watson , and Robbi Potter were discovered after 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 2,000 miles from 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 halfway 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 from members of the ranch could have led to the raid and arrest , a ranch member told CNN . Kevin Carlin , a member of the ranch in the neighborhood of Valley Center , told CNN in a telephone interview that ranch members became suspicious when a former ranch guest saw billboards urging help in finding Haylee and the two adults . Elliott also praised intense national news coverage from programs such as HLN 's `` Nancy Grace '' and `` Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell , '' as well as local media and Clear Channel , which put up missing child billboards across the country . When she is returned to Ohio , Haylee will be placed in the custody of her grandmother , Elliott said . The U.S . Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force had offered a $ 10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of 27-year-old Potter . Potter was wanted on a state warrant for parole violation and a federal warrant for probation violation . He is a convicted tier three sex offender , according to the U.S . Marshals Service , a unit of the Justice Department . While on the run , Potter and Watson were reportedly seen on surveillance video on May 31 at a Wal-Mart Store in Marion , Ohio , 40 miles from Mansfield . Haylee was not on that video . Adding to concerns , Watson 's roommate , Samantha Covert , said last week in an interview on `` Nancy Grace '' that she saw the little girl in bed with her mother and Potter the morning they disappeared . Covert said Watson carried a basket of clothing , pillows and blankets . Watson will likely face state charges , including harboring a fugitive , according to Elliott . In addition to other charges , he said Potter may be prosecuted under the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act , a federal sex offender registration and self-reporting law that carries a multiyear felony sentence if violated . On its Web site , the Morning Star Ranch describes itself as `` a community of growers of organic , pesticide-free avocados , grapefruit , persimmons , nuts and other produce . '' Elliot said he believed it is a rehabilitation facility and also called it a Christian retreat .
Ohio girl found alive near San Diego , California , authorities say . Tip led authorities to raid communal farm . Haylee Donathan was with mother , boyfriend who 's a fugitive sex offender . Haylee , mother were last seen May 28 .