Police: Missing teens found in Amber Alert case
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department confirms the two teens in an Amber Alert case have been located following a high-speed chase in Detroit.
IMPD said 13-year-old Emma Blackwell was found safe at home on LaSalle Street in Indianapolis. Police said they found out she was home after seeing her friends post photos on social media. IMPD does not yet know how or when she was brought back, or if she was ever taken to Detroit.
- UPDATE | IMPD: Kidnappings may have drug ties
Sixteen-year-old Aaron Blackwell was located Monday evening. IMPD plans on releasing more information after speaking with the teens.
A person of interest was taken into custody in Michigan in connection to the kidnapping, police said. IMPD could not confirm if anyone else was in police custody.
According to Michigan State Police, the teens may have been driven to the Detroit area sometime Monday.
Police say the two children were abducted at gunpoint from their home in the 1200 block of LaSalle Street at 3 a.m. Monday. Their mother called 911 saying that three men had kidnapped her son and daughter.
Witnesses were not able to give police a clear description of the getaway vehicle, but police say those vehicles may have included a black Escalade and a black Dodge Charger.
Neighbors told 24-Hour News 8 they prayed Emma Blackwell will make it home safe and sound.
“My niece was very good friends with her. They played around in the neighborhood and went to school together,” said Latasha Garrinson, neighbor. “She’s kind of upset that her friend is missing so we’re all just hoping and praying that they come home safely.”
Other neighbors expressed hurt after learning that Aaron and his sister Emma were kidnapped at gunpoint while in their own home.
“Terrible, it’s a dangerous neighborhood, you think you would be safe in your own home,” said neighbor Harold Calviet.
24-Hour News 8, talked to a man claiming to be the father of the victims.
“I just want my babies back,” said Issacc Pernell.
Police said the suspect who took the children was an African American male who goes by the name of Jay and is 5 feet 11 inches, 250 pounds with short black hair and brown eyes.
A spokesperson for IMPD says they’re planning to release more information surrounding the circumstances of the high speed chase in Detroit and the recovery of Aaron Blackwell on Tuesday.
Tuesday morning, both teens were back in Indiana and in the custody of Child Protective Services.
Officials with IMPD said the teens’ older sister, Whitney Blackwell, was arrested on an outstanding warrant. According to sources with IMPD, police are investigating whether or not a possible drug transaction led to the abduction of the two teens.
Police are also working to determine if other family members are involved.