Kidnapping Suspect to be Extradited to Arizona; Tells Father She Killed Their Son

A Tempe woman, who was denied parental custody rights last week and then drove her 8-month-old son to Florida, has been caught and will be brought back to Arizona. The baby, however, has not been found and the mother isn't talking. Elizabeth Johnson, 23, was denied custody of her son,...

By James King

January 5, 2010

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A Tempe woman, who was denied parental custody rights last week and then drove her 8-month-old son to Florida, has been caught and will be brought back to Arizona. The baby, however, has not been found and the mother isn't talking.

Elizabeth Johnson, 23, was denied custody of her son, Gabrielle, on December 28 after she skipped a custody hearing. Johnson, police say, had left Arizona on December 18 and went to San Antonio, where she tried to give the child up for adoption.

Police say Johnson has threatened to harm the baby in the past and while on the run, sent text messages to the child's father, Logan McQueary, saying she had killed the baby and that "there was no way in hell you're ever going to see your son again."

Johnson, arrested in Miami Beach on December 30, is now refusing to tell authorities where the baby is.

Arizona authorities will have 15 days to pick up Johnson and are searching for the car the woman was last seen driving, with the hope of finding clues as to where the baby might be.

The car is described as a White 1995 Oldsmobile Delta-88, with Arizona license plate AGZ4214.

Anyone with information should call Tempe police at 480-350-8311.

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