Watch CBS News

Cops: Missing Detroit Girl Found Safe, Mom Was Making Run For Border

DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit police say a mother who abducted her 5-year-old daughter was arrested in Texas, and authorities believe she was trying to take the child to Mexico.

Sgt. Michael Woody said Zoie Jackson was found safe and sound around 7:30 p.m. Thursday just outside of Lubbock, Texas -- days after she was picked-up from her Detroit elementary school by her non-custodial mother, 37-year-old Carmella Jackson.

The Dickens County Sheriff's Department in Texas told Woody that their deputies pulled over a black Lexus that was driving "somewhat erratically" Thursday evening. Deputies walked up to the car and saw a mother and a young girl.

"While he was talking to the driver, he noticed a lot of things weren't right inside the vehicle. The driver was acting very suspiciously and there was a lot of snacks and junk food strewn about the inside of the vehicle," Woody said.

After calling in the vehicle's license place, the deputy realized that his suspicions were right on.

"The dispatch center came back and indicated that there was a caution on the vehicle, placed by the Detroit Police Department, which prompted that deputy to then further his investigation, which resulted in the driver being identified is Carmella Jackson and her passenger was identified as Zoie," Woody said.

Jackson was arrested without incident and lodged at a Texas jail. Woody said Zoie, who was unharmed, is currently under the care of Child Protective Services in Texas, but hopefully not for long.

"We are working with the family and some other local resources to try and get down there to pick Zoie up and get here back here as quickly as possible," he said.

Woody said investigators believe Jackson, who reportedly suffers from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. was driving through Texas to get to the Mexican border. She is currently awaiting extradition to Michigan on a warrant for child abduction.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.