SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Four people have been arrested in a kidnapping that resulted in an AMBER Alert being issued on Friday, according to Salt Lake City Police.
Holly Angelina Smith, 32; Jose Francisco Robles-Prieto, 47; Joey Jimenez, 41; and Eric Mathew Jimenez, 37, have all been arrested on charges related to child endangerment and felony obstruction of justice.
The child was found safe Friday night and is now in the custody of the Utah Division of Child and Family Services. Police said that on Friday, Feb. 21, a court took away Smith’s custodial right, ordering that the 18-month-old girl be in state custody for her safety and well-being.
“Despite being present at the hearing, and aware of the ruling, Smith is accused of leaving with the baby girl and she received help from at least three others,” a press release from SLCPD states. “After being notified of the alleged kidnapping, SLCPD patrol officers began an extensive search looking for Smith and the baby girl.”
SLCPD responded across the city to search for the child. They received information that Smith could be in the area of Redwood Road and Paxton Avenue.
Police arrived on scene and found a person matching Smith’s description with a man behind a shopping cart, the release states. Upon searching the shopping cart, police found the child hidden under several blankets. The child was determined to be uninjured.
Officers also found a “glass pipe containing white and burnt residue” in the cart, the release states.
Though Smith is accused of initially providing false information, police confirmed her identity on scene. It is alleged that the three others provided false information to police or made efforts to conceal Smith’s whereabouts.
This case remains under investigation. No further information is available at this time.
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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