Police Chase Ends in Tragedy: Abducted Child Found Dead in North Carolina

POLKTON, N.C. (AP) — A tragic end to an early morning police pursuit resulted in the death of a 6-year-old girl, Mianna Roach, whose abduction prompted a widespread search in North Carolina.

At approximately 3 a.m. Monday, a woman contacted 911, reporting that her daughter had been taken from their home in Polkton. According to law enforcement sources, Mianna’s father, 27-year-old Michael Roach, forcibly entered his ex-partner’s bedroom, threatened her at gunpoint, and then abducted their daughter.

Polkton Police Chief T.W. Hutcheson confirmed that Michael Roach brandished a firearm during the incident. Despite living in the home, he had no legal custody rights. Following the 911 call, the Anson County Sheriff’s Department issued a “Be On The Lookout” alert for Michael Roach and the vehicle involved.

After five hours of searching, officers located the vehicle in Wadesboro, a nearby town. As an officer followed the car, it veered off Little Creek Road and crashed. Tragically, Mianna was discovered inside the vehicle, having suffered fatal gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene, with authorities speculating she may have died hours before the crash.

Police also found Michael Roach in the car, critically injured from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital where he remains under police watch. Investigators suspect Roach killed his daughter before attempting suicide.

Polkton Police disclosed that an Amber Alert was not issued in this case due to the absence of legal documentation regarding custody arrangements. This decision has raised questions and concerns among community members about the protocols followed in such urgent situations.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is taking the lead on the ongoing investigation. Chief Hutcheson expressed deep sorrow for the loss of Mianna, stating, “This is a heartbreaking situation that has shaken our community to its core.”

The tragic incident highlights issues surrounding domestic violence, the complexities of custody battles, and the critical need for timely alerts in child abduction cases.