RANDOLPH COUNTY, N.C. (WFMY)-- Carl Ray Kennedy is in custody and the child he's accused of abducting is safe, Danville police confirms.
Police say 7-month-old, Emma Kennedy is being evaluated at the hospital, but she appears to be okay.
Danville Police, FBI, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Secret Service arrested Kennedy. Police say Kennedy was arrested at a mobile house on Wells Lane in Randleman.
PHOTOS | Emma Kennedy Found, Carl Kennedy in Custody
"Carl showed up knocking on the door, said he needed a place to feed the baby and change the baby," explains Taylor Stiltner, who lived at the home. "He said nobody will let me in the house so I told him to come inside."
Stiltner then called her mother, Tonia Parson, who was at a neighbors house at the time.
"She said he wants me to go to the store and get him some formula and diapers. I said hold him there. I called 911 and explained the situation," said Parson.
Stiltner says Carl is a family friend. As her mother called police, Stiltner stayed calm. She says Carl fixed Emma a bowl of food and changed her clothes and was getting ready to leave when deputies showed up.
"He ran straight to back of house and hid with the baby and told me not to answer the door," Stiltner explains. "But I knew if i didn't they would just kick it in and bust windows out. I opened door threw my hands up and they had me come outside get down on the ground and then they took me out by the trees to get me out of line of fire."
From there, Stiltner says deputies were able to take Kennedy and baby Emma outside. Throughout this whole time Stiltner says Emma was unharmed. She wasn't crying; she was laughing and saying "Dada."
Carl Kennedy was taken into custody from the home.
Investigators revealed Kennedy spray painted his car black.
Kennedy was arrested on a Fugitive From Justice Warrant and placed in the Randolph County Jail. Kennedy is awaiting extradition to Danville. Danville Police will serve him with warrants for Domestic Assault and Abduction.
Emma's family released the following statement:
Statement from Emma Grace’s family: “Our family is so grateful to have Emma Grace back healthy and safe with us again. We thank all of the friends, viewers, media, police & authorities who have supported us during this time and made it possible for us to locate Emma. Everyone who helped in every little way are heroes today, you brought Emma home. God bless.”
BACKGROUND- TIMELINE
Monday, June 4
- 8:00 p.m., Sunday, June 3: Carl Kennedy accused of abducting his 7-month-old child from the mom at a Kwik Stop gas station.
- 3:00 a.m. - An Amber Alert was launched.
- 6:30pm - Virginia State Police tweet possible sighting in Wayne County, NC and Carl Kennedy could be on the way to Oak Island.
Tuesday, May 5
- Early morning: False report of man trying to sell baby in Durham is Carl Kennedy.
- 12:30pm - Danville Police sends news release stating Carl Kennedy has been arrested and Baby Emma appears fine but they're having her evaluated at the hospital.
- 2:30pm - Randolph County Sheriff's Office holds news conference to update the situation and what led to Carl Kennedy's arrest.
HOURS FOLLOWING AMBER ALERT
- Police reveal Carl Kennedy is a registered sex offender and Emma's father.
- Received details Kennedy was driving a possible gold Suzuki car with a spare tire on the rear. The license tag is NC EKZ-5093.
- Surveillance photos surface of gas station abduction.
- The Danville Police Dept, Randolph County Sheriff's Office, FBI, Secret Service, & U.S. Marshals among other law enforcement join in search efforts to find Emma.
- Learn more of a description about Kennedy including different pictures surfacing, numerous tattoos on arms.
- Investigators receive numerous tips.
- Amber Alert spreads nationwide.
- WFMY News 2 learns Kennedy was a registered sex offender in Randolph County, N.C.
- Criminal background revealed Kennedy has quite the prior record. Kennedy has 32 past convictions across the state since 1985. The charges and convictions range from traffic infractions, drug charges to felony sexual battery.
NEW DEVELOPMENTS
- Carl Kennedy was arrested on Tuesday following a citizen tip
- Kennedy was located at a mobile home in Randleman
- Deputies entered the home to arrest Kennedy
- One deputy shielded Emma and picked her up while another deputy arrested Kennedy
- Emma was brought to a hospital to be checked out and expected to be released to her mother
- Randolph County Sheriff's Office holds a news conference to update the community on Kennedy's arrest.
- Investigators revealed Kennedy spray painted his car black.
- Kennedy was arrested on a Fugitive From Justice Warrant and placed in the Randolph County Jail.
- Kennedy is awaiting extradition to Danville. Danville Police will serve him with warrants for Domestic Assault and Abduction.
► Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the WFMY News 2 App: Apple Users, Android Users