4-Year-Old Kidnapped Tampa Boy Found Safe, Couple Charged

Tampa FL

16 February, 2022

10:30 PM

Description

Updated at 2:37 p.m. Thursday TAMPA, FL — Tampa police have charged a couple accused of kidnapping a 4-year-old Tampa boy Wednesday with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, armed kidnapping and interference with custody. Kami George, 29, the boy's biological mother, and Matthew Leighton, 33, George's boyfriend, were found in Taylor County at the Florida border with Georgia. With them was the little boy, Terry Reed. The couple was arrested by Taylor County law enforcement late Wednesday night. On Wednesday afternoon, the couple showed up at Terry's day care facility while his foster parent was picking him up. Tampa police said Leighton held Terry's foster parent at knife point while George removed him from the foster parent's car. The couple then fled with Terry, injuring the foster parent with their car door in the process. The couple is being held at a jail in Taylor County until they can be transported back to Hillsborough County. Terry was recovered unharmed. Updated at 8:40 a.m. Thursday An Amber Alert for missing 4-year-old Terry Reed was canceled after he was found safe, Tampa Police said. The alert was canceled about midnight. "Terry, Kami George and Matthew Leighton have been found. Thank you for your assistance," the police department tweeted. Authorities said the child was found safe about midnight. Patch's Original Story: The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has issued an Amber Alert for a 4-year-old boy last seen in the area of 4100 N. McDill Ave. in Tampa. The child, Terry Reed, may be in the company of Kami George and Matthew Leighton and traveling in a 2010 red Toyota Camry, Florida tag number LBEZ01. George and Leighton do not have legal custody of Terry and Tampa police say he may be in danger. If you see them, police said do not to approach. They may be armed. Call the Tampa Police Department at 813-231-6130 or 911 immediately. The little boy, Terry Reed, is white, 3 feet 1 inch tall, 39 pounds with blonde hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue pullover shirt with blue sweatpants and gray shoes. George is white, 5 feet 4 inches tall, 115 pounds with blonde hair and hazel eyes. Leighton is white, 6 feet tall, 180 pounds with brown hair, a short beard and green eys. The Camry has damage to the passenger-side door.