2 teenagers are in police custody charged in connection with theft of a SUV with two baby girls inside. The incident happened on Wednesday at a Clayton County gas station, south of Atlanta.
Police tracked an iPad and an iPhone stolen from the SUV to the southwest Atlanta home of Khyree Swift, 17, early Friday morning. Another teen was arrested at a different location.
Police did not release the name of Swift’s accomplice because he is only 16. He will face a judge on Monday, where he may be charged as an adult.
Police are still searching for a 3rd accomplice.
According to police, Precious Wilmer parked her 2009 Chevy Equinox at a QuikTrip on Riverdale Road in Clayton County about 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Police say Wilmer left her daughters, 1-month-old Ava Wilmer and 4-year-old Arya Davenport, in the back seat while she dashed inside the store. She left the engine running to heat the SUV.
That’s when a silver Honda pulled up alongside the SUV and an individual jumped out and stole Wilmer’s SUV with her children inside.
She said she came out of the store to see her vehicle being driven away.
According to Channel 2 Action News, Georgia State University police Chief Joseph Spillane found 4-year-old Arya walking along the shoulder of a roadway near I-285 and Riverdale Road. Arya was crying and one of her shoes was missing.
She said, ‘Somebody took my mama’s truck and my little sister is inside,'” Spillane told WSB-TV. “She was obviously upset and crying and really worried about her little sister.”
“There are no homes. There’s no safety there at all and out there on the icy roads with cars going by; we’re just lucky now that poor child wasn’t killed,” Spillane told WSB-TV.
Channel 2 photojournalist Brian Ferguson found baby Ava strapped in her car seat in the middle of South Fulton Parkway on his way to cover the story for the news station.
Both children were dumped miles apart in frigid 19-degree temperatures. They were transported to Southern Regional Medical Center where they were treated for mild hypothermia.
Police found Wilmer’s SUV abandoned on Metropolitan Parkway in southwest Atlanta.
Channel 2 Action News’ Nicole Carr spoke with Swift’s mother and father as they left the courthouse after a judge denied bond for their son on Friday.
Swift’s mother said a silent prayer as Carr asked her for a comment. “Get out my face!” she said.
“Put this on the news,” said the father. “My child didn’t do nothing. He’s just a friend,” the father added, as his wife hollered, “Get in the car, Corey!”
