A woman in South Carolina is charged with kidnapping a 3-year-old boy, taking him to her home, and changing his clothes.
Authorities have accused 40-year-old Atia Monay Thomas of kidnapping and abduction.
According to Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, about 2 a.m. on Sunday, a mother flagged down a deputy on Broad River Road and informed him that her 3-year-old son, who has autism and is nonverbal, was missing.
During the inquiry, officials determined that the boy fell asleep in his father’s arms, and when the father awoke, the child had vanished, leaving the front door open.
Shortly after deputies began their search, a driver flagged down a deputy, stating that he saw the youngster while driving on Metze Road and pulled over to call 911.
The man told investigators that he observed a woman approach the boy, saying she knew where he lived and would bring him there.
The man returned 15 minutes later and discovered officials in the area.
The woman, later identified as Thomas, did not know the youngster or his family and did not return the child, according to authorities.
While deputies resumed their search, they discovered a door camera that captured a youngster matching the description of the boy being carried by a lady.
The father stated that while searching the area, he observed Thomas carrying his son. He snatched the boy, and Thomas fled in an Uber, investigators claimed.
When the Uber stopped, deputies pursued it and found Atia Thomas inside.
The Uber driver was released after it was discovered that he had no other connection to Thomas beyond being her customer.
Lott announced in a news statement that Thomas faces charges of kidnapping and abduction for willfully and unlawfully confining the boy without his parents’ permission, taking him to her residence, changing his clothes, not returning him to his parents, and attempting to leave the area with the boy.
