This is an archived story. For more recent developments in the Amber Alert for Darnell Taylor, follow this link.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Police showed dash-cam video on Thursday of the car used to abduct a 5-year-old boy who remains the subject of a statewide Amber Alert and court records say may be dead.
The Jeep Cherokee 48-year-old Pammy Maye was driving when she abducted 5-year-old Darnell Taylor on Wednesday was caught on video by the responding police cruiser, Columbus police Deputy Chief Smith Weir said during a press conference Thursday. The video shows the cruiser heading to Maye’s south Columbus home and passing the Jeep near the intersection of Livingston Avenue and Lockbourne Road.
However, the Jeep did not have a front license plate so the car was not notable to the responding officer, Weir said.
Police also played a 911 call made by Maye’s husband that confirms an affidavit filed with Franklin County Municipal Court that states Maye’s husband told operators that his wife killed Taylor. A woman could be heard screaming in the background of the call as he said something inaudible, but “foster child” could be heard before the operator asked for Maye’s description.
According to the affidavit, the man told operators Maye said the boy was no longer alive after he had not been seen since Monday or Tuesday. The husband searched the house for Taylor before calling police, and while he was on the phone, Maye allegedly tried to cover her husband’s mouth, saying she had a plan. It was during the 911 call that Maye fled the house.
“Pammy, if you’re watching this, could you please reach out and contact us? We need to know that Darnell is safe,” said Chief Elaine Bryant during Thursday’s press conference. “We are asking you Pammy, and we need to know if you’re safe. Reach out, contact us, let us know that you’re okay.”
Bryant declined to say whether Maye has a history of mental health issues or if she has any known connections to the Cleveland area where her Jeep was later found.
The Amber Alert for Taylor was issued Wednesday at 5:10 a.m. after Maye allegedly took Taylor from the family home on the 900 block of Reeb Avenue. The statewide notice said the abduction took place at around 3:50 a.m., though Columbus police later said it happened shortly after 3 a.m.
Online court records show Maye has been charged with first-degree felony kidnapping and third-degree felony endangering children. Records also show a warrant has been filed for Maye’s arrest. According to the state’s Amber Alert website, the alert for Taylor remains active.
The vehicle Maye is suspected of driving was found at about 6 a.m. in Brooklyn, a suburb south of Cleveland. Police located the car after receiving a hit from a license plate reader, finding it at an apartment complex on Memphis Avenue and towing it back to the police station.
Wednesday night officers and a K9 unit continued to search the areas around the Parkview Estates apartment complex.
Police have not said if a body has been found and no murder charges have been filed against Maye. Homicide detectives were investigating the Reeb Avenue scene on Wednesday.
If you see Taylor or Maye, police ask that you call 1-877-AMBER-OH (1-877-262-3764), Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477), the Columbus police tip line at 614-645-2228 or 911 to be transferred directly to the investigating law enforcement agency.
The affidavit can be read below.
