Avondale Amber Alert suspect charged with custodial interference, 2nd-degree burglary

PHOENIX – The woman accused of abducting a 2-year-old girl from her Avondale home last month, triggering an Amber Alert, was formally charged on Wednesday.

A grand jury indicted 23-year-old Marina Noriega on one count each of custodial interference and second-degree burglary, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. Both charges are Class 3 felonies.

Noriega is being held on a $250,000 bond.

She allegedly ran off with Kehlani Rogers on Feb. 21 after the girl’s parents allowed her into their home near 119th Avenue and Thomas Road. An Amber Alert was activated that afternoon.

What is known about Amber Alert suspect?

The parents described her 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.

She was arrested the next day after being spotted with the girl at a Phoenix gas station. The child was unharmed.

After a security guard at the QuikTrip at 27th Avenue and Thomas Road recognized Noriega, Camelback Moving Inc. employees used their trucks to block the vehicle she was in until police arrived.

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.

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 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.”

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