A man accused of kidnapping his infant son in a custodial dispute that led to the death of the boy’s mother was arrested Wednesday, hours after the child was found safe, police in Peoria, Arizona, said.
Eric Maes, 30, of Sun City was taken into custody in a wash area after he was spotted in Phoenix and tried to run from officers, police said.
Police said Maes was being booked on suspicion of manslaughter with possible additional charges after their investigation is completed.
It was unclear if Maes has a lawyer who could comment on his behalf.
The abducted 10-month-old boy named Abel was later found in good health, but police said his mother died from injuries suffered when she was thrown from her minivan after it was driven off with her son inside.
Brittany Martie of Phoenix was loading the baby into a minivan around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday when a man later identified as Maes jumped into the driver’s seat, police said. She died at a hospital.
Police had earlier said Martie grabbed and held onto her vehicle as it was driven away.
Authorities said Maes doesn’t have custodial rights to the boy.
Police said the child was recovered after a north Phoenix resident answered a knock on the door and called 911 after finding an infant.
An Amber Alert for the baby was issued Tuesday evening and canceled after he was found.