Nalah Jackson arrested in Indiana, Kason Thomas not with her
Police said 24-year-old Nalah Jackson is a person of interest in the kidnapping of Kyair and Kason Thomass. (Columbus Division of Police)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Kidnapping suspect Nalah Jackson was arrested Thursday in Indiana.
Columbus police said 5-month-old Kason Thomas has not been located and added that Jackson is not cooperating with law enforcement.
At approximately 2 p.m. Jackson was taken into custody by Indianapolis Metro Police, Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant said.
The Amber Alert that was activated early Tuesday morning will be extended to include Indiana.
Three detectives from CPD are heading to Indiana where Jackson is being questioned.
Thomas and his 5-month-old twin brother Kyair were inside their mother's car when she ran into a Donatos Pizza location to pick up a DoorDash order in the Short North area Monday night. When she came out, the car, and her babies, were gone.
Kyair was found hours later in a baby seat in the parking lot at the Dayton airport, but Kason is still missing.
It is unclear how long Kyair was left outside in the cold. He is now back with his parents who said he is OK.
Police believe the kidnapper Jackson, is a homeless woman who has been arrested in the past and has spent time living in a sobriety house. During a news conference Wednesday, Deputy Chief Smith Weir said investigators are looking into whether she may have any mental health issues.
Wednesday morning, law-enforcement agencies issued BOLO (Be On the Look Out) alerts to five surrounding states for Jackson
On Thursday, ABC 6 reporter Lisa Rantala confirmed Jackson was released on her own recognizance following a charge of aggravated menacing on Nov. 30, just 19 days before the abduction. In that case, police said she threatened a central Ohio couple who she alludes to having her son. The report states Jackson messaged them, "If you think you are going to steal my son and take him anywhere, I'm going to kill you and I mean that." The couple secured a temporary restraining order four weeks ago.
More court documentation shows Jackson's daughter suffered a broken leg at six weeks old and firefighters had to force their way into her apartment when her 11-month-old baby was left alone at the bottom of the stairs.
Last year, police said Jackson illegally walked off with her children during a supervised visit. At that point, an emergency order had been issued for the children's removal from Jackson's care. A psychological evaluation was conducted in that case which determines Jackson was incompetent to stand trial and non-restorable.
Jackson's most recent court case in Franklin County stemmed from an injury crash in Dublin this month. Officers did not arrest her at the time but issued a summons for her to appear in court. She failed to appear for her arraignment last week, so a warrant was issued for her arrest. That was three days before the abduction of the Thomas twins.
