Detroit Man Charged In Kidnapping That Sparked Amber Alert, Held On $1 Million Bond
DETROIT (WWJ) - A 21-year-old Detroit man has been charged with kidnapping in a case that sparked an Amber Alert earlier this week.
Michael Hunter was arraigned Friday on in 36th District Court on one count of kidnapping -- child enticement, two days after 5-month-old Tonya Smith was taken from her mother's arms. Bond was set at $1 million.
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, sparking an Amber Alert.
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 found Hunter and the baby nine hours after the alleged kidnapping.
"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."
Tonya was briefly under observation at a local hospital before being reunited with her mother.
If convicted as charged, Hunter faces up to life in prison. He's due back in court for a probable cause hearing on June 24, with a preliminary exam set for June 29.
