Police search Scottsdale, Ariz., couple’s home in missing baby case; mother now indicted

Arizona mother indicted in missing baby case

PHOENIX — Authorities say an Arizona woman has been indicted in the disappearance of her baby.

Maricopa County prosecutors say 23-year-old Elizabeth Johnson was indicted Thursday by a grand jury on charges of kidnapping, child abuse and custodial interference. She remains jailed in Phoenix.

Authorities say Johnson fled the state with her 8-month-old son Gabriel during the week of Dec. 22 in an apparent custody battle. The boy was last seen in San Antonio where Johnson spent Dec. 22 to 27 in two different motels. Johnson was arrested Dec. 30 in Miami and extradited to Arizona.

Meanwhile, Tempe police confirmed that officers executed a search warrant Thursday night at the home of a Scottsdale couple considered “persons of interest” in the case. Jack and Tammi Smith have said Johnson wanted to give up her baby for adoption but her ex-boyfriend wouldn’t go along with it.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

PHOENIX (AP) — Tempe police have searched the home of a Scottsdale couple considered “persons of interest” in a missing baby case.

Police spokesman Sgt. Mike Horn says the search warrant — executed Thursday night — is specific to the investigation of 8-month-old Gabriel Johnson, who was last seen with his mother in San Antonio last month.

The couple — Jack and Tammi Smith — say they met Gabriel’s mother, Elizabeth Johnson, at an airport during a long layover and befriended her.

Tammi Smith says the young mother wanted to give up her baby for adoption but her ex-boyfriend wouldn’t go along.

Johnson remains jailed in Phoenix on charges of kidnapping, child abuse and custodial interference. She says she gave Gabriel to a San Antonio couple.

Information from: KPNX-TV, www.azcentral.com/12news