Suspect arrested after Peoria mom killed during abduction; baby safe
Feb 10, 2021, 4:35 PM | Updated: Feb 11, 2021, 7:38 am
Eric Maes (Peoria Police Photo)
(Peoria Police Photo)
PHOENIX — Authorities said Wednesday a suspect wanted in the abduction of his 10-month-old son, which resulted in the mother’s death, has been taken into custody.
Eric Maes, 30, was arrested by the Phoenix Police Department around 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday and was transported to the Peoria Police Department to be interviewed, authorities said.
The suspect will then be taken to the Maricopa County Intake and Release and booked for one count of manslaughter, police said, and additional charges may be added as the investigation is ongoing.
Maes was wanted by Peoria police after the boy’s mother, Brittanie Martie, who had custody, was loading him into her vehicle Tuesday evening near 91st Avenue and Deer Valley Road when Maes showed up at the residence.
Maes then stole the vehicle with baby Abel Maes inside and left the area, police said.
Martie, 30, tried to keep her hands on the vehicle but was thrown off, according to police. She died of serious injuries at a hospital.
Authorities responded to the scene after they said they received calls about a domestic disturbance.
A resident near 19th and Peoria avenues heard a knock on the door around 1 a.m., where baby Abel was found on the doorstep in good health.
Maes had last been seen early Wednesday walking away from the vehicle he stole with the child inside it near Interstate 17 and Cactus Road, Peoria Police Sgt. Amanda Gaines told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News.
“I think there’s a lot of information he can provide that can give us a better story of what happened leading up to and right after the events that warranted a 911 call,” Gaines said.
An Amber Alert for baby Abel was issued Tuesday evening but was canceled after he was found.
