PHOENIX — Authorities say a toddler has been found safe, and her father was detained after he allegedly took the girl without the mother's permission Thursday.
Officials with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said deputies responded to a home near 43rd Avenue and Broadway Road relating to a custodial interference.
When deputies arrived at the scene, a mother was found who told authorities that her ex-boyfriend, Tyler Garbett, had driven away with their 15-month-old daughter in her white Nissan Versa.
The mother said that while she was at Garbett's home for the day, he had asked for a ride. The woman agreed and both Garbett and his brother boarded her vehicle with their daughter in the backseat, according to authorities.
After leaving Garbett's home, he asked the woman if he could drive instead which she granted him permission to do so.
They switched seats and after Garbett began driving, he said he wanted to check his mailbox. As Garbett drove to his mailbox, he asked the woman to go grab his mail for him. When the woman stepped out of the car to check Garbett's mailbox, he allegedly began driving, made a U-turn and left the woman.
Authorities began to look for Garbett and on Friday morning, Phoenix police were called for a hit-and-run crash.
Officers identified the vehicle that had fled as a white Nissan Versa. As authorities approached the vehicle, a man, who was later identified as Garbett, fled with the child in his arms.
Police were able to quickly detain Garbett and his brother who was also inside of the vehicle at the time.
Phoenix Fire Department evaluated the child who was unharmed, MCSO officials said.
Authorities said Garbett's brother was released due to the mother not willing to file charges against the brother.
Garbett was booked for a custodial interference charge and remains in custody with no bond.
