Bernice Keys allegedly drove across multiple states with her children, ages 8 and 9, in the early hours of May 23
Credit: Atlanta Police Department
NEED TO KNOW
- A mom allegedly abducted her two children from their court-ordered guardian in Atlanta
- Bernice Keys allegedly drove across multiple states with her children, ages 8 and 9, in the early hours of May 23
- The children were later found safe and in good health, and Keys was taken into police custody
An Atlanta mother is in custody following an overnight search for her kids, who police said she abducted from their court-ordered guardian.
Authorities asked for the public's assistance after Bernice Keys allegedly kidnapped children Tyshawn Keys, 8, and Samyiah Keys, 9, in the early morning of Saturday, May 23, according to local NBC affiliate 11 Alive.
As police activated Levi's Call, the state's public alert system, to locate the missing children, they said Keys, 33, was last seen driving away with the kids in a dark gray Jeep SUV on the 400 block of Carey Drive in southeast Atlanta, according to CBS affiliate WTOC-TV and ABC affiliate WSB-TV.
At the time the alert system was activated, investigators believed the kids were in extreme danger, ABC affiliate WJCL reported.
Credit: Atlanta Police Department
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Hours later, police announced that Keys and her kids had been located in Louisiana.
The children were found around 9:14 a.m. local time, WSB-TV reported, citing Atlanta police. They were safe and in good health, according to the outlet.
Bernice, meanwhile, was taken into police custody. Detectives had secured arrest warrants for the suspect before locating her in Louisiana, per WSB-TV.
Both the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office helped Atlanta police locate the woman, according to WTOC and WSB-TV.
Credit: Atlanta Police Department
The Atlanta Police Department (APD) did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Saturday, May 23.
It is currently unclear what charges Keys may face in connection with the alleged abduction.
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