Suspect in alleged KC parental kidnapping case turns himself in, police say
The day after an Amber Alert was issued following the alleged parental kidnapping of an 8-month-old at gunpoint, Kansas City police announced the suspect turned himself in to authorities.
Police were searching for 21-year-old Markelv Avery after he allegedly took his baby, Malani Avery, at gunpoint, according to Capt. Leslie Foreman, a spokeswoman for the Kansas City Police Department.
Officers responded to a residence in the 400 block of North Belmont Boulevard around 9:14 a.m. Wednesday after the child’s mother told police her baby was taken by force. Just before 1 p.m. that afternoon, officers located the baby safe.
Malani was not with the suspect when she was found.
Thursday evening, police announced the suspect responded to a patrol station. Sgt. Jake Becchina, a spokesman for KCPD, said detectives were working to compile case information to present to prosecutors.
On Friday afternoon, Jackson County prosecutors announced six felony charges had been filed against Avery in connection with the case: domestic assault, second-degree assault, unlawful weapon use and two counts of armed criminal action. Other charges related to the child abduction allegations remained under investigation, prosecutors said.
According to charging documents, the mother of the child told police she and Avery had been in a romantic relationship for three years but had recently separated. She described arriving home with her friend to see Avery’s white Acura parked outside.
She told police Avery blocked her car when she parked. Then he came out carrying guns in each hand, she said, before pointing one at her at the driver’s side window.
The woman told police he threatened to shoot her, choked her and struck her in the face during the encounter, according to court documents.
After surrendering at the East Patrol Division, Avery told detectives he had not been at the home that day or pointed a gun at anyone.
Court records did not list a defense attorney for Avery as of Friday.
The Star’s Bill Lukitsch contributed to this report.
This story was originally published January 20, 2023 at 11:02 AM.