What started as a high-stakes search for a missing 2-year-old ended with a safe recovery in Kokomo and felony charges for a Fishers woman, according to investigators.
Police say 21-year-old Nizhoni Carter of Fishers was arrested after Kokomo officers found the toddler unharmed at a location in Kokomo. Carter is facing charges of felony kidnapping and interference with child custody after Fishers police asked Kokomo authorities to help track down the child.
According to WTHR, Kokomo officers were called in after Fishers detectives reported the toddler missing and warned the child was believed to be in immediate danger. Officers then obtained a search warrant for a Kokomo address, where they located the child, who was confirmed to be safe.
"The child was believed to be in immediate danger and possibly with her mother hiding at a location in Kokomo," a Kokomo police spokesperson told WTHR. Investigators say Carter was taken into custody on the kidnapping and child custody interference allegations after the child was found. The FBI Violent Crime Task Force assisted in the operation, and drone technology was used during the search.
Charges and next steps
Authorities say formal charges against Carter were filed in Hamilton County. Details such as court records and any upcoming hearings were not immediately available.
Kokomo police also urged anyone with information related to the case to contact their tip line at 765-456-7017 or to submit an anonymous tip through the "Kokomo PD" mobile app, according to Kokomo Lantern. The department asked the public to avoid fueling speculation on social media while the investigation is still underway.
Why this matters
The case highlights how quickly local agencies now move when a child is believed to be in danger, leaning on both technology and cross-agency teamwork. Kokomo PD recently launched an Identification Assistance Form designed to help reunite at-risk children with caregivers more efficiently, a program explained to WRTV.
In this incident, the fast recovery of the toddler shows how a coordinated response that includes local detectives, federal task forces and specialized tools like drones can bring a high-risk missing child case to a safer, quicker resolution.
