COLUMBUS, OH - Local authorities recovered the body of a boy who was the target of a recent AMBER alert, according to Columbus police. The five-year-old, later identified as Darnell Taylor, was taken in the middle of the night, which led to the AMBER Alert.
Columbus police replayed a 911 call during a press conference that said a man claimed to police that he was told by his wife that “she had just killed [their] foster child.”
During a portion of the 911 call, a woman could be heard screaming in the background. According to police, the voice heard screaming was that of Pammy Maye, a 48-year-old who was eventually charged with murder, kidnapping, and child endangerment.
After police discovered the body on the third day of the search, a law enforcement representative, Chief Bryant, held a press conference and stated, “Early this morning we recovered the body who we believe to be Darnell Taylor. This is a tragic development and we certainly hoped for a different outcome.”
Timeline of Events
On the third night after the AMBER Alert was issued, officers from the Brooklyn (Ohio) Police Department were dispatched to a local business on a call of a woman suspiciously circling the building.
The responding officers approached the woman, whom they later identified as Maye, and took her into custody. Maye was transported to a local hospital for treatment, where she was further interviewed by additional investigators.
During the interview, investigators were able to obtain information from Maye that “Darnell may be in a sewage drain.”
Several hours later, police recovered the body in a sewer believed to be that of Taylor.
During the press conference, Chief Bryant thanked multiple local, state, and federal agencies and organizations involved in the multi-day search, but expressed disappointment in the outcome.
“This is not the outcome that we wanted but we’re going to make sure that we do everything that we can to bring justice for Darnell,” Chief Bryant said.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther also expressed his opinion on the death of the child, saying, “I am devastated by the death of Darnell Taylor, just five years old. This is not the outcome anyone wanted. I ask the community to lift up his family at such a difficult time. My thanks to Columbus Police for their swift and steadfast dedication to find the child, and to the numerous tips from the public.”
According to reports, Taylor was a foster child. It was also reported by authorities that the biological parents were notified of the incident.
A memorial containing teddy bears and flowers was placed in the vicinity where the body was found. Local residents were shocked when the news of the discovery was posted.
One of the neighbors told the media, “Immediately [police] just start getting into the sewer like opening it up. And then I started freaking out and I’m like, ‘Oh, something serious is going on.’”
Members of the media questioned Chief Bryant regarding the mental state of Maye. It is believed that she suffered from mental health disorders.
According to authorities, the man who placed the 911 call stated that Maye was taking medication for bipolar disorder and depression. However, authorities did not provide specific details as to the mental state of Maye when she was taken into custody.
Maye was booked at the Cuyahoga County Jail and charged with kidnapping, child endangerment, and murder and then extradited back to Franklin County, Ohio.
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Writer Eddie Molina is a veteran and has over 25 years of combined LEO/military service. He owns and operates the apparel company www.BuyHeroStuff.com
Columbus police replayed a 911 call during a press conference that said a man claimed to police that he was told by his wife that “she had just killed [their] foster child.”
During a portion of the 911 call, a woman could be heard screaming in the background. According to police, the voice heard screaming was that of Pammy Maye, a 48-year-old who was eventually charged with murder, kidnapping, and child endangerment.
After police discovered the body on the third day of the search, a law enforcement representative, Chief Bryant, held a press conference and stated, “Early this morning we recovered the body who we believe to be Darnell Taylor. This is a tragic development and we certainly hoped for a different outcome.”
Timeline of Events
On the third night after the AMBER Alert was issued, officers from the Brooklyn (Ohio) Police Department were dispatched to a local business on a call of a woman suspiciously circling the building.
The responding officers approached the woman, whom they later identified as Maye, and took her into custody. Maye was transported to a local hospital for treatment, where she was further interviewed by additional investigators.
During the interview, investigators were able to obtain information from Maye that “Darnell may be in a sewage drain.”
Several hours later, police recovered the body in a sewer believed to be that of Taylor.
During the press conference, Chief Bryant thanked multiple local, state, and federal agencies and organizations involved in the multi-day search, but expressed disappointment in the outcome.
“This is not the outcome that we wanted but we’re going to make sure that we do everything that we can to bring justice for Darnell,” Chief Bryant said.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther also expressed his opinion on the death of the child, saying, “I am devastated by the death of Darnell Taylor, just five years old. This is not the outcome anyone wanted. I ask the community to lift up his family at such a difficult time. My thanks to Columbus Police for their swift and steadfast dedication to find the child, and to the numerous tips from the public.”
According to reports, Taylor was a foster child. It was also reported by authorities that the biological parents were notified of the incident.
A memorial containing teddy bears and flowers was placed in the vicinity where the body was found. Local residents were shocked when the news of the discovery was posted.
One of the neighbors told the media, “Immediately [police] just start getting into the sewer like opening it up. And then I started freaking out and I’m like, ‘Oh, something serious is going on.’”
Members of the media questioned Chief Bryant regarding the mental state of Maye. It is believed that she suffered from mental health disorders.
According to authorities, the man who placed the 911 call stated that Maye was taking medication for bipolar disorder and depression. However, authorities did not provide specific details as to the mental state of Maye when she was taken into custody.
Maye was booked at the Cuyahoga County Jail and charged with kidnapping, child endangerment, and murder and then extradited back to Franklin County, Ohio.
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Writer Eddie Molina is a veteran and has over 25 years of combined LEO/military service. He owns and operates the apparel company www.BuyHeroStuff.com
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The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
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