‘Persons Of Interest’ Named In Missing Tempe Infant Case of Gabriel Johnson~Phoenix Arizona
April 172010
Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Gabriel Johnson is urged to contact the Tempe Police Department at 480-350-8311 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (480-948-6377).
NEWS SOURCE ABC 15:
TEMPE, AZ “The Tempe Police Department has named a Scottsdale couple ‘persons of interest’ in their investigation to find a missing child.
According to police spokesperson Steve Carbajal, investigators believe Tammi and Jack Smith have undisclosed information that will lead them to baby Gabriel Johnson.
The Smiths had apparently tried to adopt the 8-month-old from mother Elizabeth Johnson last month, but Gabriel’s father refused to sign the adoption papers.
When that father, Logan McQueary, tried to gain custody of Gabriel, 23-year-old Elizabeth apparently disappeared with the infant.
Carbajal said Elizabeth initially told authorities she gave her baby to a couple she met in San Antonio while on the run after skipping out on a custodial hearing in Phoenix.
“They wanted the baby and she simply gave it to them,” said Bob Johnson, Elizabeth’s grandfather. “It sounded like a pretty weak story. It was almost on the border of unbelievable that a person would do that with an 8-month-old child.”
But Johnson also said he doesn’t believe the Smiths had anything to do with Gabriel’s disappearance.
“That’s ridiculous.. no, god, no,” he said.
Bob Johnson said Elizabeth met Tami Smith at an airport when Gabriel was just a month old. He said Gabriel was fussing and Tami came to help Elizabeth, and then cared for Gabriel the entire flight home. After that, they apparently kept in touch. Carbajal said Elizabeth left Arizona with Gabriel on December 18. There have been no signs of the boy since the day after Christmas.
Police did find Elizabeth in Florida last week and arrested her for failing to appear at her custodial hearing.
But Gabriel was not with her and detectives said she refused to tell them where he is.
“She was confronted, arrested and interviewed exhaustively about the whereabouts of the child,” said Wayne Jones, with Miami Beach Police.
Earlier this week, the Smiths defended Gabriel and Elizabeth on national TV.
“She’s completely innocent,” said Tammi, speaking about Elizabeth. “She loves that baby, and just wants to find a good home for that baby. As a mother, I commend her.”
Gabriel’s father, Logan McQueary, said Elizabeth had been pushing him to sign adoption papers granting the Smiths custody of Gabriel.
McQueary also said that after the baby disappeared, Smith approached him with similar requests.
“When Gabriel disappeared, they said basically, ‘if you really care about your son and you want him back, and you want Elizabeth to bring him back, that you’ll sign the paperwork and then she’ll bring him back to us, and you’ll know he’s safe,’” said McQueary. “I said, ‘no, I’m not signing any paperwork.’”
McQueary was on several TV morning shows Thursday, pleading to the public to get his son back.
“Please don’t be afraid of getting into trouble, just drop him off at a fire station, help me get my son back,” he said.
McQueary said he had previously received text messages from Gabriel’s mother saying she had killed the child.
“She basically said, ‘there’s no way in you’re ever seeing your son again,’” he said.
“Is she saying these things to hurt the father or would she actually hurt her own baby?” said Carbajal. “We don’t know yet. We’re hoping the baby is in good condition and will be returned safely.”
But McQueary says he believes Gabriel is still alive, considering he and Johnson were last seen at a park after McQueary received the threatening messages.
Elizabeth’s twin brother, Robert Johnson, said he doesn’t believe his sister’s story, but also said he has to support her.
“She’s stubborn and hard headed. If she doesn’t want Logan to have the baby, she will do everything she can to keep Gabriel from Logan.” ”
Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Gabriel Johnson is urged to contact the Tempe Police Department at 480-350-8311 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (480-948-6377).
Duration : 0:2:31
Senator McCain appeared today on Good Morning Arizona. For more information go to: JohnMcCain.com
http://www.AZGroceryGuru.com – Contact me, Jennifer Clarke at my website for more information on Coupon Sense. View my weekly grocery deals for Arizona or come to one of my free workshops!