SEDGWICK COUNTY- The Wichita Police Departmentsafely located a 2-year-old child who was the subject of an AMBER Alert and took a 21-year-old Wichita man into custody.
Just after 2a.m. Sunday., police responded to a reported domestic violence incident in the 4200 block of E. Boston in Wichita, according to a media release.
During the investigation, officers learned a disturbance had occurred between a 21-year-old Wichita man identified as Saul Gonzalez-Diaz and a 22-year-old Wichita woman. The investigation determined the man had allegedly battered the woman before leaving the residence with the couple's 2-year-old daughter.
As soon as officers learned the child was with the suspect, they immediately began coordinating resources to locate the child and safely take the suspect into custody. Officers utilized Flock Safety camera technology, phone location data, and other investigative resources to track the suspect's movements.
Police searched known locations associated with the suspect, checked area hospitals, and requested additional off-duty personnel to assist with the search. Officers issued an Attempt to Locate (ATL) for the child and the suspect's vehicle, along with a felony pick-up for arrest for the suspect, and a city-wide BOLO (Be On The Look Out) advisory was given by dispatch over the radio for officers. Members of the Wichita Police Department's Domestic Intervention and Violence Reduction Team (DIVRT) also responded to support the investigation.
As the investigation progressed, officers actively searched and followed up on leads. The KBI was notified and an AMBER Alert was issued.
Through the continued efforts of responding officers and investigators, the suspect's vehicle was located in the 500 block of N. Ash. Officers quickly established a perimeter around the residence and made repeated announcements in an effort to safely contact anyone inside. Because it was unknown whether the suspect and child were inside the home, officers took a deliberate and cautious approach to protect everyone involved. With the assistance and cooperation of family members, officers eventually were given access to the residence and located the 2-year-old child and the suspect inside.
The suspect was taken into custody without incident. Just before 6p.m. he was booked into the Sedgwick County Detention Facility. The child was evaluated by EMS at the scene and reunited with her mother.
Gonzalez-Diaz is being held on requested charges of aggravated domestic battery, battery, endangering a child, criminal damage to property and several charges from an arrest in March.
This case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for formal charging consideration. The investigation is ongoing.