Father accused of kidnapping his own son in prison
The disappearance of the 10-month-old baby triggered an AMBER Alert in the early hours of February 10. The boy’s mother died trying to prevent the kidnapping.
PEORIA, Ariz. – Authorities say a 30-year-old man was arrested after the kidnapping of his 10-month-old son. Police say the boy’s mother died while trying to prevent the kidnapping.
Around 6:30 pm on February 9, Peoria the police responded to a domestic violence report near Deer Valley Road and 91st Avenue. Police said they learned that the mother with custody rights was putting her baby in a minivan when the father got in the car and ran away with the baby.
The baby, Abel Maes, was found Wednesday morning near Interstate 17 and Bell Road. The suspect, identified by the police as Eric Maes, 30, of city of the Sun, was taken into custody, according to a statement made by the Peoria Police on the afternoon of February 10.
Mother dies trying to protect baby
The mother, Brittany Walker, 30 years old Phoenix, was holding the van as she drove down the road. She was thrown from the van and later taken to a hospital, where she died of her injuries.
“We were all hoping that nothing bad would happen, but I think her family, in the back of our minds, knew that it wouldn’t be a 100 percent shock to us if something happened, he would do it to her because we know her story,” Juliann Davis said.
On February 10, Walker’s relatives are remembering Walker’s life.
“All she wanted to be was a mother, and a good mother,” said Davis. “She was so afraid of what could happen to her baby.”
Relatives say there was a history of domestic violence in Walker’s relationship with Maes.
“We’re fine, it’s another problem with Eric,” said Davis, sobbing. “I hope that this time, now that he has kidnapped a child, they will arrest him for even longer and he will be fine, but that did not happen.”
Maes, according to Martie’s relative, just left a rehab clinic earlier in the week.
“He needs to get up and take responsibility for what he did,” said Davis. “Brittany gave him a chance, a chance and a chance to improve and improve his life, and he didn’t. We just want him in custody to make sure he isn’t doing this to anyone else.”
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Peoria Police: kidnapped baby found safe, child’s mother dies while trying to prevent kidnapping
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