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 The infant, identified as Samiyah Nichols, was initially reported
as being abducted by three subjects in Memphis, Tennessee at
approximately 4:15 a.m. on Friday, October 24. The ISP was later
contacted by Missouri Highway Patrol (MHP) who believed the suspects
were traveling in a 2005 Ford and may have entered Illinois state
lines at approximately 8:00 a.m. Illinois State Police officers and
investigators immediately saturated Interstate 57 in search of the
suspected vehicle.
Intelligence was developed by the ISP Statewide Terrorism
Information Center (STIC) suggesting the suspects were traveling in
a 2005 Ford 4-door vehicle, owned by a relative. At approximately
9:15 a.m., an ISP trooper located the vehicle near milepost 103, and
with the assistance of other agencies, including deputies from the
Jefferson County and Marion County Sheriff’s Departments, the 2005
Ford was stopped near milepost 106 without incident and the infant
was safely recovered unharmed. The infant was immediately
transported to an area hospital for further evaluation.
Illinois State Police Director Hiram Grau praised the quick thinking
and fast response of the ISP troopers and other agencies involved.
“An infant child was placed in harm’s way and law enforcement wasted
no time in apprehending these dangerous and careless individuals,”
Grau said.
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Three suspects were taken into custody and have been identified as
Brandon M. Wright, 28, Homewood, IL; Betty Jo Mitchell, 27, Muncie,
IN; Samuel Nichols, 29, Chicago. Samuel Nichols is believed to be
the biological father. Wright and Mitchell have been released and
Nichols remains in custody on an unrelated warrant. Formal charges
are pending for all three subjects.
Samiyah Nichols was released from an area hospital in good condition
and remains in the custody of the Department of Children and Family
Services.
The collaborative effort that lead to the arrest of the three
subjects and safe recovery of the child included officers from ISP
Zone 7, District 12, District 13, District 22, Air Operations, STIC;
Illinois Secretary of State Police; Jefferson County Sheriff’s
Department; Marion County Sheriff’s Department; Missouri Highway
Patrol; Memphis, Tennessee Police Department and the Federal Bureau
of Investigation.
[Illinois State Police] |
