A missing 10-month-old girl named Nalaya Crew has been found after she was allegedly kidnapped by a family member and their boyfriend in Charlotte, North Carolina.
An Amber alert was issued for Crew on Saturday, November 16 with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) stating she was abducted at around 7 p.m.
The CMPD shared an update on the case on Sunday, November 16, revealing that the Amber Alert had been canceled and Crew was “located unharmed and has been reunited with her mother.”
Police said that Crew was allegedly taken by her relative Michelle Hemphill and Hemphill’s boyfriend, Timothy Lee Smith Jr. Both Hemphill, 19, and Smith, 23, have since been taken into custody due to their alleged involvement.
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Crew’s family previously believed she was “in danger” with Hemphill, according to the CMPD’s news update. The family explained to authorities that Hemphill “is currently homeless and has no means to provide for the child.”
Prior to Hemphill and Smith’s arrests, police said she was last seen getting into a blue minivan that was driven by her boyfriend. The couple was spotted on the 6600 block of Monroe Road in the area.
It’s not currently known what Hemphill or Smith’s motives were for allegedly taking Crew. Meanwhile, it appears they have not yet entered a plea in the case.
In light of the arrests, authorities are asking anyone with information regarding the case to call 911 or the CMPD at 704-336-7600.
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Kidnapping is charged as a serious felony offense in the state of North Carolina, according to attorneys Browning and Long, PLLC’s website. If found guilty and convicted of a kidnapping crime, suspects can be ordered to a lengthy prison sentence.
In order for a crime to be considered kidnapping in North Carolina “an individual must unlawfully confine, restrain or move another person from one place to another place without their consent or the consent of their parent if they are under 16 years old.”
There are two degrees of kidnapping in North Carolina, while both are charged as felonies.
A crime is considered first-degree kidnapping if the victim was “not released to a safe place, was sexually assaulted or was seriously injured.” Meanwhile, a suspect would be charged with second-degree kidnapping “if they released the victim to a safe place and did not sexually assault or seriously injure them.”
