Authorities arrested a teenager they say stole a car from a Clayton County day care parking lot, leading to the abduction of a 6-year-old boy.
Jaiden Demons Chatman, 17, remained in the Fulton County jail on a theft by receiving stolen property charge, according to jail records. Atlanta police arrested Chatman on Wednesday, just a day after his alleged involvement with car thefts at Childcare Network day care, Clayton County police Sgt. Ashanti Marbury said.
Credit: Fulton County Sheriff's Office
Credit: Fulton County Sheriff's Office
A global tracking device on a stolen 2016 Chrysler 300 led authorities to Chatman. Atlanta police found him seated in the car at the Trestletree Apartment complex in the 900 block of Confederate Avenue. Authorities identified Chatman from surveillance video obtained from the day care parking lot. He was wearing the same clothes he had on during the thefts, Marbury said.
The video captured Chatman and two others allegedly stealing the Chrysler and a Hyundai Santa Fe, police said. Both were left running and unattended, police said. A silver Nissan Altima parked next to the gray Chrysler and police say Chatman jumped into the front passenger seat. Moments later, the Chrysler drove away.
Not long after the theft, the Nissan drove to another location in the parking lot and made an abrupt stop at a white Hyundai Santa Fe, which had a 6-year-old inside, police said.
A person in the back seat of the Nissan got out and into the Hyundai before speeding away, police said. Authorities are still working to locate the SUV.
The child was seen on video walking back to the day care. He was reunited with his mother.
Chatham was taken into custody after he refused to speak to police. He also has warrants for his arrest in Clayton County for a theft by taking motor vehicle charge. He was granted a $7,500 bond. Chatman’s next court date is May 10.
Descriptions of the other suspects have not been released, but anyone who may have information on the case or the identity of the at-large suspects is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 404-577-8477.
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