Phoenix man accused of kidnapping his 2 nieces, killing 1

PHOENIX — A Phoenix girl is dead and another is in critical condition following a kidnapping by their uncle on Wednesday.

Carlos Eduardo Mora, 27, has been arrested and booked into the Maricopa County Jail on suspicion of first-degree murder, aggravated assault, kidnapping and theft of means of transportation, the Arizona Department of Public Safety said in a press release Friday.

Authorities got a call around 9:33 p.m. regarding an injured person on the side of the road on westbound US 60 at milepost 116.

When DPS troopers arrived, they found two girls with serious injuries.

A 13-year-old girl was pronounced dead at the scene by fire personnel, while a 12-year-old was flown to a Phoenix-area hospital and is in critical condition.

It is not known how the girl died.

After further investigation, it was discovered the two had been kidnapped earlier in the day.

Troopers were also tipped off about a possible suspect wearing bloody clothing at a nearby gas station in Wickenburg.

Troopers apprehended the man, who was later identified as Mora, after he provided authorities with false information about his identity.

Officials said Mora and another adult male were with the two victims at a family residence in Phoenix when they decided to drive to a local convenience store.

When the other adult male went back inside the home, Mora jumped into the driver’s seat and fled in the vehicle with the two victims still in the backseat.

The man tried to intervene and was struck by Mora with the vehicle.

Family members were able to contact the two victims and heard screaming before the phone was disconnected, DPS said.

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