A disturbing kidnapping case in Arizona has taken a new legal turn after a woman accused of abducting a toddler from her home was formally indicted by a grand jury.
Authorities say the suspect allegedly took advantage of a family’s kindness after they allowed her to stay in their home. The child was missing for nearly two days before police located her safe. Now, prosecutors have filed felony charges as the case moves forward in court.
Arizona Woman Indicted in Toddler Kidnapping Case
A Maricopa County grand jury has indicted 23-year-old Marina Noriega on felony charges related to the disappearance of a 3-year-old girl.
The charges include:
- Custodial interference
- Second-degree burglary
According to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, the custodial interference charge relates to allegations that Noriega tried to keep the child away from her parents. The burglary charge stems from authorities saying she was unlawfully inside the family’s home.
Noriega is currently being held on a $250,000 cash bond.
Toddler Reported Missing From Arizona Home
The case began on February 20 when 3-year-old Kehlani Rogers was reported missing from her home in Avondale, Arizona.
Police said the child was last seen around 11:30 p.m. that night.
An Amber Alert was quickly issued as authorities began searching for the missing toddler.
Fortunately, Kehlani was located safe two days later on February 22.
Family Had Allowed Stranger to Stay in Their Home
According to court documents, the child’s parents told police they had allowed a woman they did not know to stay in their home.
The woman reportedly told them she needed a place to stay, and the family agreed to help her.
However, on the morning of February 21, the parents woke up to discover that both the woman and their 3-year-old daughter were gone.
The alarming discovery led to a large search effort involving law enforcement and the public.
Tip Led Investigators to the Suspect
During the investigation, authorities received a tip that helped identify Marina Noriega as the suspected abductor.
A woman later told police she had given Noriega and the child a ride to the city of Maricopa.
According to court documents, Noriega allegedly told the driver she planned to take a train to California.
Investigators then reviewed surveillance footage from a local business in Maricopa, which reportedly showed Noriega with the child.
Child Located Safe at Gas Station
On the morning of February 22, authorities located Noriega and the toddler at a gas station in Phoenix.
Police safely recovered Kehlani and took Noriega into custody.
Officials confirmed the child was unharmed.
Suspect Gave False Claims to Police
According to court records, Noriega initially told investigators that she was the child’s biological mother.
She allegedly claimed the child had been born in Sacramento and had been kidnapped from a hospital years earlier.
Noriega reportedly told police she had traveled to Arizona looking for family and believed she had coincidentally found her long-lost daughter.
However, authorities say she later admitted that the child was not hers.
According to investigators, Noriega acknowledged that she had made a mistake and should not have taken the child.
Upcoming Court Proceedings
Noriega is scheduled to appear in court for her arraignment on March 11.
Her trial is currently expected to begin on July 8.
Prosecutors will present evidence to determine whether she will be convicted of the felony charges.
