Man accused of abducting son, killing mom in hospital after suicide attempt
Feb 15, 2021, 9:53 AM | Updated: 7:53 pm
(Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Mugshot)
PHOENIX — A suspect accused of abducting his infant son and killing the mother during the kidnapping is in the hospital after a suicide attempt on Saturday, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Monday.
Eric Maes, 30, was charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping in apprehension of injury, endangerment and theft of means of transportation on Thursday after he allegedly abducted 10-month-old Abel Maes and drove off in the van belonging to the child’s mother Tuesday evening, court documents say.
Brittanie Martie, 30, was killed as Maes allegedly drove away with the child near 91st Avenue and Deer Valley Road in Peoria.
Maes, in an interview Wednesday night with police, said Martie jumped out of the moving van and that he turned it around and intentionally struck Martie as she stood on a sidewalk, court documents said.
An Amber Alert for baby Abel was issued Tuesday evening but was canceled after he was found in good health on the doorstep of a residence near 19th and Peoria avenues.
Maes was arrested hours later by the Phoenix Police Department and a judge ordered Thursday that he remain jailed in lieu of bail of $2 million. A preliminary hearing was set for Feb. 22.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.