An Atlanta mother is in custody after police say she abducted her two young children from their court-ordered guardian, triggering an overnight search that ended in Louisiana.
Authorities had asked the public for help finding 33-year-old Bernice Keys after she allegedly kidnapped her children, 8-year-old Tyshawn Keys and 9-year-old Samyiah Keys, early Saturday morning, May 23.
According to local reports, police said Bernice was last seen driving away with the children in a dark gray Jeep SUV on the 400 block of Carey Drive in southeast Atlanta.
Investigators activated Levi’s Call, Georgia’s public alert system for missing children, as the search intensified. At the time, authorities believed the children were in extreme danger.
The alert set off a multi-state effort to find the two kids and their mother.
Hours later, police announced that Bernice and the children had been located in Louisiana.
Atlanta police said the children were found around 9:14 a.m. local time. They were safe and in good health, according to local reports.
The Atlanta Police Department said Bernice was apprehended in Louisiana with help from the FBI and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Police also arrested an associate, identified as Jasper Fluker, who was allegedly with her.
Bernice was charged with two counts of kidnapping involving domestic violence and two counts of interference with custody.
Fluker was charged with kidnapping and interference with custody.
Both suspects are now awaiting extradition back to Atlanta.
The terrifying case began as a missing children emergency and ended with both kids found alive and safe, but police say the mother and her alleged accomplice still face serious charges.