Baby Snatched From Mother On Detroit's East Side Found Safe; Suspect Apprehended
DETROIT (WWJ) - Authorities say a 5-month-old girl who was taken from her mother on Detroit's east side has been found safe, and the suspect is under arrest.
Police say Tonya Smith was located with the suspect, 21-year old Michael Hunter, just before 8 a.m. Wednesday near 7 Mile and Schoenherr, about a mile away from the kidnapping scene. The child was taken to a local hospital for observation.
Sgt. Michael Woody said Hunter gave himself up when officers approached him on the street. He was taken into custody without further incident.
"The suspect decided that he was going to turn the baby back over to the mother. Because we had so many officers in the area looking for baby Tonya and Michael, we were able to spot him walking down the street," said Woody. "It was at that point our undercover officers then stopped him, detained him and recovered the baby."
Police say Hunter grabbed Tonya from her mother around 11:10 p.m. Tuesday following an argument at her home, located in the area of 7 Mile and Hoover.
Hunter is not the child's father, but he was dating the 27-year-old mother, according to police. The mother was apparently in the process of breaking off the relationship when Hunter went to her house and after an argument, took the baby, who was dressed in only a t-shirt and diaper.
Police say the mother chased after Hunter as he ran with the child south on Hoover, but she couldn't keep up and stopped to call police. An Amber Alert was issued early Wednesday morning.
Charges against Hunter are now pending.
Authorities say the situation came to such a swift resolution thanks to the cooperative effort between Detroit Police, Michigan State Police and the FBI.
An investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detroit police at 313-596-1616.
