Amber Alert Ends Safely: Child Found, Mother Arrested with Three Accomplices

SALT LAKE CITY — An Amber Alert issued for 18-month-old Josephina Jimenez has ended successfully, with both the child and her noncustodial mother, Holly Angelina Smith, found Saturday evening. Smith, along with three other accomplices, has been arrested in relation to the abduction.

Police first issued the Amber Alert after confirming that Smith, 32, fled with Josephina from a court hearing on Friday. The court had terminated Smith’s custodial rights, requiring her to surrender custody of the child. Despite being present for the ruling, authorities claim Smith took the child shortly after the decision.

The Salt Lake City Police Department launched a search for the girl due to concerns about the dropping temperatures that night. Investigators received a tip directing them to the area of Redwood Road and Paxton Avenue, where they found Smith and a male companion hiding behind a shopping cart.

According to a police booking affidavit, Smith initially provided false information about her identity. After officers identified her, she revealed that Josephina was concealed under blankets in the shopping cart along with drug paraphernalia, according to police documents.

Josephina was evaluated by paramedics at the scene and was found to be unharmed. Smith later admitted to law enforcement that she refused to surrender her daughter, which led to her arrest on charges including child kidnapping and endangerment.

Three others were also arrested in connection with the case. Jose Francisco Robles-Prieto, 47, and Joey Jimenez, 41, were both charged with felony obstruction of justice, while Eric Mathew Jimenez, 37, faces charges for assisting in Smith’s evasion of law enforcement. They allegedly helped Smith evade police while hiding with the child.

“Detectives have reason to believe family members may be assisting Holly Angelina Smith in avoiding law enforcement,” the SLCPD noted in a statement. In the past, Smith had faced several charges related to child neglect and substance abuse, prompting the court’s decision to remove Josephina from her custody.

The Salt Lake City Police Department expressed gratitude toward its officers and the Child Abduction Response Team for their swift response in locating Smith and the child. The investigation is ongoing, and updates will be provided as they become available.