Three-year-old Kehlani Rogers, who was reported missing from Avondale, Arizona, on Feb. 20, has been found safe, and a suspect is now in custody.
According to the Avondale Police Department, officers located Kehlani and 23-year-old Marina Noriega after acting on a tip from a community member who reported seeing them in Phoenix. The pair was found at a QuikTrip gas station on Sunday, Feb. 22, local outlets reported.
Police said Kehlani was “found safe and in good health,” and investigators do not believe she was harmed during the incident. An AMBER Alert issued following her disappearance has since been canceled.
Suspect Identified Through Surveillance and Tips
Authorities identified Noriega as a suspect after surveillance footage showed her with Kehlani in Maricopa on Feb. 21. The footage, shared by police, showed the child wearing purple pajamas with multicolored smiley faces.
The Phoenix Police Department assisted in the investigation. Noriega, described as a White woman of short stature and thin build with brown hair, was taken into custody and is expected to be booked on charges related to the case. Specific charges have not yet been disclosed.
Police confirmed that Noriega is not a family member of Kehlani. It is unclear whether she has obtained legal representation.
Community Tips Played Key Role
Authorities credited community members for providing numerous tips that helped investigators track down the suspect and safely recover the child.
Kehlani was last seen at her Avondale home around 11:30 p.m. on Feb. 20 before she was reported missing. The swift response from law enforcement and the public ultimately led to her safe recovery.
