<human>: Can you condense the text into a few key points?

Obviously, I will use fake names. This is in TX.

This just happened about an hour ago and while my best friend, Linda, is in full enraged mode, I do not want her to make any rash actions. Please let me explain.

Linda's brother Tony is not married to his girlfriend Ashley but they do have a daughter together. She is a bundle of joy and altogether they've been a couple for about 5-6 years.

Tonight, Linda came home and saw her parents crying and her brother in a panic. Tony had found out that Ashley is cheating on him and what I can assume is that she knew she was caught, came home (she lives with them all), packed her things and left with the child.

This is a very delicate situation and my best friend is both infuriated and wants to take matters into her own hands. Strong evidence points to Ashley probably going to her mothers with the child.

I implore Linda to first try to communicate with Ashley and work it out in person, but she is already talking about filing a report and has already gotten numbers from family lawyers. Tony has Ashley's old cell and apparently there are texts that suggest that Ashley is cheating. Maybe my advice is not correct and that filing a report is the right thing to do but I just don't know.

My question would be this. What would be the right thing to do at this very moment? I really would like to hear some tough advice. Anything that will help Tony see his daughter again.
<bot>: Best friends brother caught girlfriend cheating. They have a child together and she left with her. This happened not too long ago. What should they do?