Baby found safe in Orlando; woman, teen arrested in kidnapping

Deputies: Taraji Kemp found safe at central Florida hospital

ORLANDO, Fla. – A 2-month-old baby who was being sought after a statewide Amber Alert was issued was found safe in Orlando, and a woman and teen have been arrested in the kidnapping, the Broward County Sheriff's Office said.

Investigators said Taraji Kemp was found abandoned in unincorporated Orange County, ending a 17-hour search. The Broward County Sheriff's Office said the baby was found alone in an apartment in a car seat still wearing the pink onesie she was reported missing in.

Authorities said she was admitted to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. She is expected to be OK. 

Officials have not said how the infant ended up Central Florida.

Broward County investigators said the baby was kidnapped from her home Friday night while she was sleeping with her mother. Deputies said Augustin and her 14-year-old cousin were armed when they broke into the house and took Taraji. Officials said the 14-year-old had a gun.

At first, detectives named Stephanie Augustin as a person of interest. They said Taraji may have been with Augustin, possibly traveling in a 2010 blue Nissan Altima. A family member said she is a cousin of the baby's mother.

Augustin and the car were found Saturday afternoon on the Florida Turnpike in Fort Pierce. Police said they waited about 10 minutes on the side of the Turnpike when they saw Augustin's Altima at mile marker 190. One patrol car followed the Altima while another car came for backup.

The car was stopped at mile marker 183, police said. Augustin was the only person in the car and was taken into custody without incident.

Shortly after investigators found Augustin, Taraji was discovered. Broward County investigators said they are still looking into how the baby got to Central Florida.

Authorities said Augustin was booked at Broward County sheriff's main jail and was being held without bond. Her charges include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, aggravated child abuse, burglar of dwelling structure or conveyance armed, contributing to delinquency or dependency of a child and kidnapping.

Augustin's cousin was also booked and taken into custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice. He is facing two counts; aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and armed burglary of a dwelling.

 


About the Authors:

Troy Blevins is a Digital Content Editor who has been with Graham Media Group since 2012.

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