Police locate body of missing Ohio boy; Amber Alert canceled

Columbus police have issued an Amber Alert Wednesday morning for a 5-year-old boy, Darnell Taylor, who police say was taken by 48-year-old Pammy Maye. (WOIO)
Published: Feb. 14, 2024 at 6:11 AM EST|Updated: Feb. 16, 2024 at 7:25 AM EST

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WOIO/Gray News) - The Amber Alert issued for a missing Ohio boy was canceled Friday morning after authorities located the child’s body.

Columbus police said the body that is believed to be 5-year-old Darnell Taylor’s was found in a sewer drain in Franklin County at approximately 1 a.m. on Friday after the suspect in his disappearance, 48-year-old Pammy Maye, was arrested late Thursday night in the Cleveland suburb of Brooklyn.

The Amber Alert was initially issued early Wednesday morning for Darnell Taylor after police say they were first alerted to the situation when a caller reported his wife Maye “woke him up and made statements that made him believe ... Darnell, had been hurt,” according to a post on their Facebook page.

Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant said warrants were issued for Maye on charges of child endangering and kidnapping. She is also now facing murder charges, according to police.

Police in Brooklyn located the suspect’s vehicle on Wednesday, but it was unoccupied.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: It was originally reported that Maye is Darnell’s foster parent, but Franklin County Children Services confirmed to WOIO that the Maye family gained legal custody of Darnell.