ARKANSAS, USA — One suspect has been arrested after Arkansas State Police (ASP) recovered a 5-year-old boy who had been abducted in Michigan on Feb. 3.
Officials were notified by the Oakland County Michigan Sheriff's Office that they were tracking a 2018 Buick Encore stolen from their jurisdiction that may be in the Arkansas area.
According to reports, 40-year-old Daniel Onoht took the vehicle and his son without permission from the boy’s mother, who has legal custody of the child.
ASP troopers witnessed the vehicle traveling on Interstate 530 near Sweet Home and used multiple units to slowly stop it by boxing it in on Interstate 30 west of Geyer Springs Road.
The boy was safely removed from the vehicle and was confirmed to be unharmed.
"As a father of three myself, I cannot fathom the heartache that parent was feeling to not have her baby with her," Arkansas State Police Trooper Jeb Little said. "To safely recover her child and pass them back... that's just awesome. Can't beat it."
Little was part of the rescue and said the boy ate a lot of snacks and got a trooper bear named "Teddy Junior" afterward.
"Super cool kid," Little said. "We hung out at headquarters [and] ate candy. He had some Hot Wheels cars. I, too, am a big fan of Hot Wheels cars, but super nice kiddo."
Onoh was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Pulaski County Detention Center, where he is being held on charges of felony theft by receiving. Felony kidnapping charges are pending. He also has a misdemeanor warrant out of Texas.
“Many of our Troopers are parents themselves, so securing a child and returning him to his mother was an honor,” Arkansas State Police Col. Mike Hagar said. “Keeping innocent civilians safe is always our top priority.”
After the traffic stop, troopers transported the child to ASP Headquarters, where they ensured he was safe, comfortable and able to talk to his mother.
The boy was then released to the Arkansas Department of Human Services, which helped coordinate his care until his mother could pick him up in Arkansas.
Police said the family has since returned to Michigan and are cooperating with authorities while they investigate the incident.
