Father accused of kidnapping 6-month-old boy in Scottsdale caught in Flagstaff

PHOENIX – A 6-month-old boy was safely recovered in Flagstaff on Wednesday after his father allegedly kidnapped him in Scottsdale, authorities said.

Carlos Umberto Guardado Orellano, 19, is accused of taking the child from his ex-girlfriend and threatening to harm him if she didn’t meet him in Flagstaff, the Scottsdale Police Department said Thursday.

Around 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, Scottsdale police notified Flagstaff authorities that the suspect and infant were in the parking lot of a Walmart near Interstate 40 and Fourth Street.

Scottsdale police said they prepared to issue an Amber Alert, but it wasn’t activated because communication with the suspect was active.

The Flagstaff Police Department said Scottsdale police were monitoring video chats between Orellano and the mother and saw the suspect driving with the baby on his lap.

Flagstaff police officers, METRO Narcotics task force members and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives special agents responded to the parking lot and took the suspect into custody.

The mother and child were reunited Thursday morning in Flagstaff, police said.

Orellano was booked into Maricopa County Jail on counts of kidnapping, endangerment and custodial interference.

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