A two-year-old girl is safe after being transported from Georgia to New Jersey in what investigators describe as a coordinated kidnapping involving a father and grandmother.
The Specifics: Four individuals were apprehended by Bibb County Sheriff’s deputies for planning to transport the toddler across state borders without consent from the child’s mother or Georgia’s Division of Family and Children Services.
Here is a list of those who have been arrested:
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- Dashawn Rashard Sarratt, 30, the child’s father
- Samiyah Cunningham, 24, who was temporarily caring for the child
- Shinikka Cunningham, 49, Samiyah’s mother
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- Kiesha Burno, 50, Sarratt’s mother
Investigators stated that the child was first placed with Samiyah Cunningham as part of an agreement with DFACS while an investigation was ongoing. Subsequently, the group reportedly took the child by train to New Jersey, where Burno deceitfully acquired a temporary custody order from the Hudson County Superior Court.
When New Jersey Child Protection Services reached out to Georgia DFACS about the child’s location, the scheme started to fall apart. The suspects were apprehended with the assistance of U.S. Marshals in various states.
Sarratt and Samiyah Cunningham got arrested on February 11, while Shinikka Cunningham and Burno were taken into custody on February 26. They all are charged with multiple felonies, including kidnapping and conspiracy, and none of them have been granted bail.
The child has been successfully reunited with their family.
Just a friendly reminder: Crime articles typically include details from police reports and statements from law enforcement, focusing on charges brought against individuals. It’s important to remember that all suspects and defendants are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
