INQUISITR.COM / News & Politics

Doraville, Georgia Amber Alert: 18-Month-Old Carter Willis Johnson Found

By Antonio J. Newell
Published on: 12:10 PST, Apr 11, 2016

The Doraville Amber alert was lifted on April 11 after the suspect surrendered to the Florida Department of Law enforcement. The Amber alert was for 18-month-old toddler Carter Willis Johnson.

The Doraville toddler was kidnapped by his father, Willis Johnson, according to a previous report from The Inquisitr. The abduction took place on Friday afternoon in Doraville. After authorities issued an Amber alert, the toddler was presumed to be in extreme danger, as reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

According to the report, the father was supposed to drop off his son to the mother, which supposedly should have happened at the Doraville police station. According to the source, that was the usual meeting place. However, the Doraville father didn’t show up with toddler Carter Johnson.

11 ALIVE News reports that the mother took initiative and went before a Fulton County judge for an emergency hearing. After hearing the mother’s case for the toddler, that’s when the judge ordered the Amber alert, and the father was wanted for interference of custody.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution states that the father surrendered to law enforcement officials around 12:15 p.m. on April 11, and the toddler was deemed safe. According to 11-ALIVE News, the Doraville toddler was missing since April 1.

Doraville Police Department reports that the Amber alert cancellation was called a peaceful resolution. Likewise, the police department gave acknowledgments.

“Doraville would like to thank FDLE (Florida Department of Law Enforcement), Dekalb Solicitors Office, the GBI, State Department, TSA, CBP, ICE, National Missing and Exploited Children, and the IIWG.”

The Amber alert situation was described as follows.

“Through the multi agency cooperation of the above listed agencies, Willis Johnson was spotted in South Florida. FDLE maintained surveillance while Johnson simultaneously called the Doraville police. Doraville police successfully convince Johnson to open the door and release Carter into the care and custody of agents with FDLE. We are expecting Florida Department of children and families to take custody of Carter.”

According to Fox-5 News, investigators learned that the Amber alert suspect, the toddler’s father, had shown signs of dangerous behavior in the past. Doraville Police Officer Gene Callaway made a statement regarding the crisis before it was considered an alert. Officer Callaway mentioned, “That exchange did not happen, an Amber Alert was attempted at that point, but the GBI thought there was no danger to the child.”

According to the Doraville officer, there may have been a physical altercation between the toddler’s mother and father.

At the time of the child’s abduction, the Doraville father was driving a blue Kia Forte EX. Police couldn’t locate the vehicle and asked for help from anyone who had seen a car, toddler, or kidnapper that fit the physical descriptions provided.

However, since the child was taken into custody, Doraville Police emphasized its commitment to the community by letting the public know that the issue was resolved. It holds in accordance with Doraville Police Department’s mission statement which states, “The Mission of the Doraville Police Department is to provide quality services, foster growth, and develop a vibrant community for our residents and businesses.” As an elaboration, it notes as follows.

“It is the mission of the Doraville Police Department to safeguard the lives and property of the people we serve, to reduce the incidence and fear of crime, and to enhance public safety while working with the diverse communities to improve their quality of life. Our mandate is to do so with honor and integrity, while at all times conducting ourselves with the highest ethical standards to maintain public confidence.”

And, given that the Amber alert was resolved, the department has lived up to its commitment, yes? What are your thoughts about the Amber alert situation? Why do you think the father didn’t show up with the Doraville toddler as arranged? Feel free to share your thoughts below.

[Image via Twitter]

Share this article: Doraville, Georgia Amber Alert: 18-Month-Old Carter Willis Johnson Found
More from Inquisitr