Avondale Amber Alert suspect was ‘random woman’ who allegedly smoked meth during abduction

PHOENIX – The woman accused of abducting a young West Valley girl over the weekend, triggering an Amber Alert, allegedly smoked meth and slept on the street overnight with the child before she was arrested in Phoenix.

Marina Noriega, 23, was described by the parents of 2-year-old Kehlani Rogers as “a random woman who family members brought to the residence to help as she was transient and needed a place to stay,” according to court documents.

They called police around 8 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, to report that the woman they took in and the child were missing from their home near 119th Avenue and Thomas Road in Avondale, according to the probable cause statement for Noriega’s arrest.

The woman only told the family her first name, but investigators identified her through facial recognition technology and a photo lineup.

After the girl could not be found during the initial investigation, the Amber Alert was activated that afternoon. The alert said Rogers is 3 years old, but it was later confirmed that she is 2.

What happened after Amber Alert was activated?

Tips and evidence led detectives to believe Noriega got a ride with the child to the city of Maricopa and planned to take a train from there to California.

Authorities conducted surveillance at the Maricopa train station on Saturday but didn’t find the subjects. Officers returned to the city early Sunday to continue the search.

Around 7:30 a.m., a tip came in about a possible sighting at the QuikTrip at 27th Avenue and Thomas Road in Phoenix. A QuikTrip spokesperson said one of its security “Guardians” recognized the Amber Alert subjects and contacted police.

The Phoenix Police Department responded to the gas station and took Noriega into custody. The girl was returned to her parents unharmed but scared, authorities said.

“Law enforcement arrived promptly, secured the child and took the suspects into custody. We’re grateful for our Guardian’s attentiveness and quick thinking and for the swift response and professionalism from the Phoenix Police Department. The safety of our employees, customers and the communities we serve is a top priority,” QuikTrip Corporate Communications Manager Aisha Jefferson said in a statement.

After she was in custody, Noriega allegedly told police she had no car, money, job or place to stay. She also allegedly said she slept with the child on the street overnight and had no plans to take a train.

Noriega was booked into jail on one count of custodial interference, a Class 3 felony.

She was in possession of a glass pipe when she was taken into custody, Stephen Garcia of the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said during the Noriega’s initial court hearing.

“She admitted to … smoking methamphetamine the day before, and that was during the time she had control of the child,” said Garcia, who described the defendant as “a danger to the community and a flight risk.”

Noriega’s bond was set at $250,000, and her next court hearings were scheduled for March 2 and 4. She will have to undergo drug testing if she gets out on bail while awaiting trial.

According to the probable cause statement, Noriega has multiple prior convictions, including for possession of a controlled substance and shoplifting.

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