COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Authorities gave updates on a statewide Amber Alert Tuesday afternoon, as only one of two babies abducted in their mother’s car in Columbus has been found.
Columbus Division of Police Chief Elaine Bryant shared a timeline of events from the abduction in a 2 p.m. press conference. Officers first got a call around 9:45 p.m. Monday at the Donatos Pizza at East 1st Avenue and North High Street. A mother had left her 5-month-old twin boys in a running car while she walked up to the store to pick up a delivery order. When she turned around and looked back, her car was gone.
Bryant said during the press conference that the suspect, 24-year-old Nalah Tamiko Jackson, was a homeless woman inside the store identified by Donatos workers. Jackson left when the mother walked inside and before officers got to the scene at 9:52 p.m.
The two baby boys, Kason and Kyair Thomas, are Black with brown eyes and hair. Since the Amber Alert was issued, a CPD sergeant confirmed to NBC4 that Kyair was found at the Dayton International Airport, nearly an hour-and-a-half away from the Donatos where the twins disappeared. Kason remained missing as of Tuesday evening.
Mike Etter, Dayton Chief of Public Safety and Security Coordinator, shared more details about how Kyair was found. A traveler walking around 4:15 a.m. in the economy parking lot heard a baby crying and then found him in a car seat wrapped in a quilt. Police were still canvassing the area for the other infant as of Tuesday evening.
Police faced delays in getting an Amber Alert issued for Kyair and Kason, according to Bryant. CPD first notified the Ohio State Highway Patrol and other neighboring police agencies about the abduction around 10:30 p.m. It then requested an Amber Alert from the OSHP at 11:45 p.m., and a second time at 12:05 a.m.
The Amber Alert finally went out at 1:37 a.m. The delay stemmed from the stolen black 2010 Honda Accord’s lack of a license plate or vehicle identification number because it was newly purchased, Bryant said.
Missing person’s group the Dock Ellis Foundation learned of the missing children from the Amber Alert, got involved in the search and posted an unspecified reward for information that finds Kason. A member speaking on behalf of the family told NBC4 that medics made sure Kyair was healthy when he was found, and his parents reunited with him in Dayton.
CPD has since checked Jackson’s former addresses and three different homeless camps in the area looking for her. Court records showed Jackson previously faced charges including theft, receiving stolen property, interference with custody and endangering children.
Neither Jackson nor the stolen Honda have been found as of 5 p.m. Tuesday. However, Columbus police released security camera photos captured of the car and Jackson at a gas station in Huber Heights. CPD said Jackson went inside and asked an employee for money before leaving.
Originally described with the front bumper ripped off with a dent on the left rear quarter panel, police said it sustained additional damage on the left side with purple paint transfer, as if the car was in an accident.
CPD also added that the Accord has a white bumper sticker on the rear that reads “Westside City Toys.” The mother told police she only remembered the temporary registration tag began with the letter “M.”
The boys’ father, Lechez Thomas, spoke to NBC4 about the abduction. He asked the public for help finding his son.
“I just need to know. I need them both,” Thomas said. “Try to speak up if you know anything and make sure the information is legit. Can’t keep doing these wild goose chases. I just want to hold my son, you know? … He’s just a baby, he didn’t do nothing to nobody.”
Columbus police asked anyone with information about Jackson to call its Special Victims Bureau tip line at 614-645-4266. CPD asked anyone who sees the car or the infant to call 911 immediately.