A two-year-old child has been reported safe while two adults have lost their lives following an Amber Alert issued from Topeka, Kansas. The alert was initiated for Zabe Mendez, who was forcibly taken from his mother on Friday and considered to be in imminent danger.
Authorities responded to the 500 block of Northeast Wabash Avenue on Tuesday morning for a welfare check, where they tragically discovered a man and a woman dead inside the residence. The toddler was missing, leading to the immediate issuance of the Amber Alert.
Fortunately, Zabe Mendez was located a few hours later in Mattoon, Illinois, alongside the suspect, identified as 42-year-old Christopher Barnshaw. Barnshaw has been taken into custody in connection with the case. The investigation into the double homicide is still in its early stages, and police have not yet disclosed the relationship between the victims and the suspect.
This incident highlights the importance of Amber Alerts in protecting children in dangerous situations, providing a swift response that can ultimately lead to the safe recovery of minors. While this story is marked by tragedy, the successful outcome for Zabe Mendez serves as a reminder of the community’s vigilance and the effectiveness of law enforcement in urgent scenarios.