Quad Cities Teens Arrested for Stealing Car with Child Inside
ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS – In a heart-stopping incident that gripped the Quad Cities area, a car was stolen on Thursday morning with a four-year-old child still in the back seat. The brown Saturn Outlook was taken from the 1300 block of 14th ½ Street at 6:07 a.m., sending authorities into a frenzy to locate the missing child.
The Search and Recovery Efforts
Law enforcement officers sprang into action immediately, responding to the scene within minutes and initiating a widespread search operation. The stolen vehicle was found abandoned in the area of 8th St and 15th Ave just 14 minutes later, triggering a massive effort to locate the young child, Blessing Aoci.
The Rock Island Police Department wasted no time in spreading the word, utilizing social media platforms such as Facebook to disseminate information about Blessing’s disappearance. The Illinois State Police issued an Amber Alert, and the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) reached out to cell phones across the region to enlist the public’s help in finding the missing child.
Community Support and Successful Reunion
As hours passed with no sign of Blessing, the community rallied together to support the search efforts. Law enforcement agencies from both Illinois and Iowa, along with numerous volunteers and concerned neighbors, scoured the neighborhood in a desperate attempt to locate the young girl.
The tireless efforts of these dedicated individuals paid off when, at approximately 2:53 p.m., Blessing was found safe and sound in the vicinity. She was quickly reunited with her mother and taken to Unity Point Trinity for a thorough evaluation by medical professionals.
Arrests Made in Connection with the Incident
In the aftermath of this harrowing ordeal, the Rock Island Police Department made multiple arrests related to the car theft and kidnapping. Eighteen-year-old Jaron Bailey-Harris was charged with Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, while four juveniles faced various charges related to the incident.
Rock Island Police Chief Tim McCloud expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts that led to Blessing’s safe return, emphasizing the importance of unity in times of crisis. The investigation into the incident continues as authorities work to uncover the full details surrounding the case.
