COLUMBUS, Ohio — The search continues for a missing 5-month-old twin boy, whose brother was found in the cold, after Columbus police issued an Amber Alert early Tuesday morning. The babies' grandmother sat down with News 5 to ask for help, since she believes the police aren't doing her family justice.
Kason Thomas was last seen in the backseat of his mother's car while she went into Donatos Pizza at 920 N High St. in Columbus at 9:45 p.m. Monday. He was last seen wearing a brown onesie and has brown hair and brown eyes. He is on the left of the picture attached below.
Both twin boys, Kyair and Kason, were in the back seat of their mother's 2010 black Honda Accord as she left the car running to pick up a Door Dash order.
"She turned her back — she looked around and the car was gone," LaFonda Thomas, the boys' paternal grandmother, told News 5's Morgan Trau. "And honestly, Morgan, that's all I've gotten."
The suspect, 24-year-old Nalah Jackson, took off with the car and the children, according to police. Jackson was in the restaurant when the mother walked in but left moments later, police said.
"Sometimes we got to take a step back and realize that being a parent means making tough choices," Thomas cried. "It should never be an easy choice to leave your children in a running car with unlocked doors. Please, please, please think before you act, you do not want to be where we are sitting right now."
Kyair was located at the Dayton International Airport around 4 a.m.
"Why drop off one baby at an airport at night in 18-degree weather," Thomas said. "Leave him outside to die? Why?"
The suspect, Nalah Jackson, is described by police as a 24-year-old Black female, 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighing 130 lbs. She has brown hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a dark-colored hoodie. She is homeless and has no known relationship with the family, according to CPD.
Her family doesn't know who Jackson is or why she would have taken the children, the grandmother said. She's concerned for her grandson's well-being.
"My grandson has been missing over 12 hours. No food, and he's a baby. He loves his parents. How is he being treated?" Thomas said. "What is she doing? I don't know. Not knowing is what's killing my whole family right now."
Thomas is asking for anyone with information about Jackson's whereabouts to come forward and talk to police.
"We need somebody to point us in the right direction, at least tell me what you know," she said.
Columbus police have failed to help the family, the grandmother said. The 911 call came in at around 9:45 in the evening, but four hours occurred between then and the Amber Alert. Thomas doesn't know why that happened — and neither do the police.
Watch the full news conference in the player below:
"CPD was doing the work that they needed to do, unfortunately, and it's something that we're looking at internally," Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant said. "There was a lapse in communication."
In a press conference today, law enforcement plead for help locating Kason.
"Bringing him home safe is our number one priority to the family," Bryant said.
Although hammered by reporters on the reaction time, Columbus police refused to give additional details, other than saying they are "going to make sure it does not occur again."
News 5 asked law enforcement about Jackson's record, since court records show she has previously been arrested twice for child endangerment, custody interference, domestic violence, assault and a slew of other misdemeanors. When asked if Kason is in danger, the team said yes.
"We consider this child to be a danger, that's why we are expanding the resources we are and we are asking for the community's help," Deputy Chief Smith Weir responded. "And, you know, this is a cry for help. We are asking for the community to come forward and help us locate this child."
The vehicle, a 2010 Accord, was missing a front bumper and had a dent on the left rear quarter panel with a torn temporary tag No. M965246 in the rear window. The car was last seen with heavy left-side damage and purple paint transfer on it, according to police. The car's VIN No. is 1HGCP2F30AA031252.
Jackson was later seen on a security camera at a gas station in Huber Heights.
You can see the damage to the car's front bumper in the photo below:
Thomas has a message for Jackson herself: "Just drop him off. Take him to a hospital. Take him to a fire station. Walk into a Walmart, leave him with guest services. Just bring my grandson back," Thomas said. "We need him. His brother is not complete without him."
A BOLO has been issued in five states for the suspect: Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan.
AMBER ALERT UPDATE
— Columbus Ohio Police (@ColumbusPolice) December 21, 2022
Law enforcement agencies are working closely with @ColumbusPolice to locate 5-month-old Kason Thomass. BOLO alerts have been issued to the five adjoining states with Ohio for the suspect, Nalah Jackson, & the stolen vehicle. Immediately call 911. pic.twitter.com/EFrUKV5cjX
Anyone with information about their whereabouts is asked to call 614-645-4701 immediately. Other numbers to call include 911 or 1-877-AMBER-OH.
Columbus PD starts with a plea to suspect Nalah Jackson:
— Morgan Trau (@MorganTrau) December 20, 2022
“Please return Kason Thomass.”
Jackson is homeless and was in a Donatos store when the mother walked in to pick up a delivery order, according to police. She allegedly left the pizza place once the mom walked in. pic.twitter.com/Wha8K0bTAH
Click here to view the News 5 Cleveland Missing Persons page.
Watch live as Columbus Police conduct a press conference to give an update:
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