A routine speeding stop in Columbia over the weekend turned into a far bigger case when officers realized the people in the car were wanted out of Maryland on kidnapping charges. Police say a 4-month-old baby was also inside the vehicle and is now in state protective custody.
Arrests and custody
Authorities identified the driver as Celso Galvez Morales, who was taken into custody on April 11. Investigators later tracked down his girlfriend, Laura Ignacio Martinez, and arrested her yesterday. Both were booked into the Marion County Correctional Facility, where they are being held while Maryland pursues extradition, according to WAPT.
Traffic stop led to discovery
Police say Sgt. Tolar and Officer Burch pulled over the car for speeding during a proactive patrol. A records check flagged an active kidnapping warrant out of Maryland for Morales, and he was arrested at the scene without incident. Officers kept digging after the stop and eventually located and arrested Martinez as part of the same case, according to WLBT.
Columbia Police Chief Adrien Fortenberry publicly praised the officers’ work, saying the incident highlights “the importance of proactive policing” and commending the team for how they handled the stop and follow-up.
Child welfare and next steps
The 4-month-old infant found in the vehicle was turned over to the Mississippi Department of Child Protective Services and remains in that agency’s care, according to WBAL. WBAL reports it is still unclear which Maryland jurisdiction issued the kidnapping warrants.
Mississippi authorities say Morales and Martinez will be sent back to Maryland to face the charges once extradition is complete. Columbia officials emphasized that both arrests were made without incident while officers worked to confirm the warrants and secure the child’s safety.
What happens now
Morales and Martinez remain in the Marion County jail as law enforcement agencies finalize extradition paperwork and arrange their transfer to Maryland. The process will move forward through standard interstate procedures, according to WAPT.
As with any criminal case, the two are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in court.
