Daishaliz Velez Fernandez, age 25, from Salem, has been charged with kidnapping (2C:13-1B(4)) and with endangering the welfare of a child (2C:24-4A(2)) in connection with the abduction of a 4 year old child from the Harvest Point Apartments on Grieves Parkway in Salem. The child was last observed traveling in a black vehicle with a Hispanic female at approximately 11:30am on Monday, May 9, by maintenance staff at the complex. Officers were able to identify and make contact with Ms. Velez Fernandez by phone and were able to remain on the phone with her until she could be located. Ms. Velez Fernandez was apprehended on Route 13 in New Castle, Delaware shortly after 4:30pm, with the child located safely in the vehicle at that time. Ms. Velez Fernandez was arrested and charged without incident and will be held in Delaware pending extradition. There is no known relationship between Ms. Velez Fernandez and the child.
These criminal charges are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.