Authorities have successfully located two children after issuing an Amber Alert in Tulare County. The siblings, aged 5 and 6, were found safe and have been returned to law enforcement with the assistance of two suspects involved in their abduction.
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office identified the children’s biological mother, 29-year-old Makenzie Morelli, as one of the alleged kidnappers. Additionally, 57-year-old David Steen has also been arrested. The incident unfolded around midnight when deputies received reports of a burglary and kidnapping at a residence in Earlimart. The children’s legal guardian, their biological aunt, reported that she was assaulted during the home invasion by four individuals.
Ashley Ritchie from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office emphasized the gravity of these crimes, noting the widespread impact of the Amber Alert, which alerted residents throughout the county and beyond. Ritchie speculated that the suspects may have received the alert on their phones, prompting them to return the children safely. “Without that Amber Alert coming out, I don’t know how it would’ve turned out,” she remarked, highlighting the critical role of timely alerts in ensuring the children’s safety.
California Highway Patrol Officer Adrian Gonzalez reiterated the significance of Amber Alerts, confirming that these notifications are only issued after thorough verification of the situation.
While the children are now safe, Ritchie acknowledged the emotional toll the incident may have taken on them: “This is absolutely certainly gonna be a terrifying situation for those kids.” The community remains hopeful and relieved that the outcome was positive, as investigators continue their efforts to locate the two remaining suspects involved in the case. Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to reach out to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office.
In summary, the successful return of the children highlights the effectiveness of community vigilance and rapid response by law enforcement in crisis situations, reaffirming a collective commitment to child safety.