Child found safe after AMBER Alert, mother and three others arrested
Feb 21, 2025, 7:20 PM | Updated: Feb 22, 2025, 9:11 am
Holly Angelina Smith is charged with kidnapping for allegedly taking her 1-year-old baby. (Salt Lake City Police Department)
(Salt Lake City Police Department)
SALT LAKE CITY — The child and suspect at the center of a Friday night AMBER Alert have both been found.
According to a Salt Lake City Police Department news release, Holly Angelina Smith lost her custodial rights of her 1-year-old baby girl. She was then asked to hand her daughter over to state custody when she allegedly took the child on Friday, triggering an AMBER Alert.
“Despite being present at the hearing, and aware of the ruling, Smith is accused of leaving with the baby girl,” the news release said.
According to the SLCPD, the 1-year-old is now safe and is in the custody of the Utah Division of Child and Family Services.
“During the search, officers received information from a person who knew Smith and directed them to the area of Redwood Road and Paxton Avenue,” the news release said.
Police said they discovered Smith and a man hiding behind a shopping cart when officers arrived at the scene.
“Officers searched the shopping cart and found the baby girl hidden under several blankets,” SLCPD said. “Officers also found a glass pipe containing white and burnt residue in the shopping cart. This suspected drug paraphernalia is commonly used for smoking controlled substances.”
Police said Smith was arrested, along with three other people who allegedly helped her leave the courthouse with the baby.
Jose Francisco Robles-Prieto, 47, was arrested for Felony obstruction of justice and child endangerment. Joey Jimenez, 41, was arrested for felony obstruction of justice.
“It is alleged that (Joey) helped transport Smith and the baby girl away from officers during the investigation and actively helped Smith in her attempt to hide from SLCPD,” the news release said.
Eric Mathew Jimenez, 37, was also arrested for Felony obstruction of justice.
“It is alleged that (Eric) was in the car used to help Smith hide and that he refused to provide officers with information on the baby girl’s location, delaying SLCPD’s ability to safely find her.
Smith was arrested for child kidnapping, child endangerment and providing false or misleading information to law enforcement.
“The Salt Lake City Police Department would like to recognize its officers, detectives, and professional staff who worked on the initial portions of this investigation, including the search,” the SLCPD said. “The SLCPD also wants to acknowledge the outside law enforcement agencies who reached out to assist. Throughout the investigation, SLCPD detectives assigned to the statewide Child Abduction Response Team (CART) received updates and assisted with the case.”
Police also said the baby and Smith were checked for injuries and that the baby was cleared.
This is a breaking story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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