In a shocking turn of events, a car theft in Clayton County, Georgia, led to a frantic search for a 2-month-old infant who was inside the vehicle at the time. The suspect, identified as 17-year-old Johnathan Johnson, was eventually apprehended near Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Jonesboro after a high-speed chase. Johnson now faces a slew of charges including motor vehicle theft, kidnapping, reckless conduct, hit and run, cruelty to children, fleeing and eluding, disobeying a traffic control device, and reckless driving.
The incident unfolded when the mother of the infant briefly stepped into Champion Wings and Fish at the Southway Shopping Center, leaving her keys in the car and the engine running with her baby inside. Upon exiting the establishment, she witnessed someone driving off with her vehicle, unaware of the man’s identity. This prompted a swift response from law enforcement agencies, with a BOLO (be on the lookout) issued and multiple agencies joining the search efforts.
As the search intensified, authorities worked to issue a Levi’s Call, Georgia’s Amber Alert System, to aid in locating the missing infant. Approximately 45 minutes later, Clayton County Sheriff’s deputies spotted the stolen vehicle at an intersection and attempted to pull it over. However, the driver, later identified as Johnson, evaded capture and led officers on a high-speed pursuit that culminated in a crash near Mt. Zion Rd and Mt. Zion Blvd.
Following the crash, Johnson fled on foot into the woods but was swiftly apprehended by Georgia State Patrol troopers. Despite the absence of the baby in the crashed vehicle, law enforcement remained focused on locating the child. Johnson eventually confessed to investigators that he had taken the infant out of the car and placed her behind a dumpster, though he could not recall the exact location.
After an exhaustive search, the 2-month-old baby was discovered behind a dumpster in a wooded area at the Tara Woods apartments, located near Tara Boulevard and Sherwood Drive. The child was promptly examined by medical personnel and reunited with her relieved mother. The proximity of the locations involved in this harrowing ordeal, all within a 3-mile radius, underscored the urgency and intensity of the search efforts.
Johnson is slated to be formally booked into the Clayton County Jail to face the charges levied against him. This developing story serves as a stark reminder of the swift and coordinated response required in cases of child abduction and the critical role played by law enforcement in ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals. As further details emerge, stay tuned for updates on this evolving situation.