Amber Alert: 3-Year-Old Kehlani Rogers Abducted in Avondale, Arizona – Suspect Mariana Noriega Spotted in Maricopa

 A 3-year-old girl from Avondale, Arizona, is feared abducted after being taken from her home over the weekend, prompting an AMBER Alert and a statewide search.

Kehlani Rogers was last seen at her residence near 118th Avenue and Thomas Road around 11:30 p.m. on Friday, February 20. Authorities believe she was taken by 23-year-old Mariana Noriega, a woman with no known family connection to the child. Surveillance footage reportedly captured the pair together in Maricopa on Saturday, February 21, with Kehlani wearing purple pajamas adorned with multicolored smiley faces and Noriega in a black-and-white tank top with pink fuzzy pants.

Police say the abduction is linked to a recent encounter between Rogers’ father and Noriega. A family member told ABC 15 Arizona that the father had recently given Noriega a place to stay “because she needed a helping hand.” Authorities say there was no prior agreement or plan for Noriega to take the child, leading them to classify the situation as highly dangerous.

APD spokesman Jaret Redfearn told reporters, “The fact that she was not allowed to be taken, there was no prior conversation, there was no plan. They woke up this morning and Kehlani’s gone and Mariana’s gone – this is what leads us to believe that she’s in danger.” Local hospitals and law enforcement agencies were notified, with no reports of Kehlani being found so far.

Kehlani is described as approximately 3 feet 5 inches tall, thin, with brown braided hair and brown eyes. Authorities are asking the public to remain vigilant and report any information immediately.

Anyone with knowledge of Kehlani Rogers’ or Mariana Noriega’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Avondale Police Department at 623-333-7000 or submit tips anonymously to Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS. This case remains active as police continue their efforts to safely recover Kehlani.