Missing 2-year-old Avondale girl found safe at Phoenix gas station, suspect arrested

PHOENIX — A missing 2-year-old Avondale girl was found safe at a Phoenix gas station on Sunday, while the woman accused of taking her was arrested.

Kehlani Rogers, 2, was located at the QuikTrip near 27th Avenue and Thomas Road, a store employee confirmed to KTAR News 92.3.

Police took 23-year-old Marina Noriega into custody, according to the Avondale Police Department.

She was booked into jail on one count of custodial interference, and her bail was set at $250,000, according to Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office inmate records. Her next court appearances were scheduled for March 2 and March 4.

Following a search that spanned through Saturday night and into Sunday morning, a security guard at a QuikTrip near 27th Avenue and Thomas Road called 911.

“You don’t need to wear a bulletproof badge and a vest to do the right thing,” Skyler Emmons, the security guard, told reporters.

A member of a crew of workers for Camelback Moving Inc. overheard Emmons on the phone with 911, and they used their trucks to block the suspect’s vehicle from leaving the scene as they waited for police to arrive.

The crewmembers on the scene, as well as Emmons, were honored with Good Samaritan awards the week after the rescue.

See the moment officers honor the heroes who helped rescue 2‑year‑old Kehlani Rodgers after she was reported missing in an Amber Alert. Watch the clip below to see each person recognized for their quick action. pic.twitter.com/Evatu4BnMU

— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) February 27, 2026

Avondale girl in good health after being located

Authorities said Rogers is in good health and do not believe she was harmed.

Authorities initially issued an Amber Alert on Saturday for the 2-year-old and said there is reason to believe that Rogers could be in danger, as Noriega is not a relative of Rogers.

Noriega, the woman accused of taking the 2-year-old girl, was believed to be seen with Rogers on surveillance inside a store on Saturday.

Footage from a local business in the city of Maricopa captured Noriega pushing a stroller with Rogers inside of it, the Avondale Police Department said.

Rogers was seen near 118th and Edgemont avenues on Friday around 11:30 p.m. before her parents discovered she was missing at about 5 a.m. on Saturday. Rogers’ parents contacted police after about three hours of unsuccessful searching, according to Avondale PD PIO Jaret Redfearn.

The Child Abduction Response Team and the FBI assisted with the investigation.

Related

Missing Tempe man, Michael Bayne, found dead after intense searchKatie Hobbs won’t debate Andy Biggs in governor’s race16 Handles offering freebies, discounts for grand opening of Scottsdale frozen yogurt shopPhoenix man accused of fatally attacking elderly roommate with construction helmet arrestedMan indicted on murder charge in fatal shooting at Phoenix gas stationWith Pocket Fire near Sedona 100% contained, officials significantly reduce closure area