A 23-year-old woman is facing felony charges after police say she took a 2-year-old girl from her parents’ home in Avondale, Arizona and claimed the child was her biological daughter.
Marina Noriega was arrested after authorities say she removed Kehlani Rogers from the home where she had been staying as a guest. According to the Avondale Police Department, Noriega allegedly told detectives that the toddler had been abducted from a hospital after birth and that she had “coincidentally” located her in Arizona.
Disappearance Sparks Amber Alert
Police say Noriega had been allowed to stay overnight with the family because she said she was transient and had nowhere to go. Family members later told investigators that Noriega made unusual statements about having a “baby daddy,” a “dead baby,” and being in a hospital after a car accident.
The next morning, the family awoke to find both Noriega and the child missing. Authorities issued an Amber Alert, and surveillance footage reportedly showed Noriega pushing the toddler in a stroller in nearby communities.
Noriega was located the following day at a QuikTrip store in Phoenix, Arizona after bystanders blocked a pickup truck she was driving and contacted police. The child was safely recovered and told her parents she had been scared but was physically unharmed.
Conflicting Statements and Arrest
According to an arrest affidavit, Noriega initially insisted the child was hers but later admitted, “My mistake,” after being confronted with evidence. Investigators said she gave inconsistent details about the alleged hospital abduction and could not provide verifiable information. Police also reported finding a glass pipe allegedly used for methamphetamine in her possession.
Noriega has been charged with custodial interference and is being held on a $250,000 bond in Maricopa County, Arizona. A judge ordered her to have no contact with the family or any minors while the case proceeds.
