On February 3, 2024, at around noon, the Oakland County Michigan Sheriff's Office notified Arkansas State Police (ASP) that they were tracking a 2018 Buick Encore stolen from their jurisdiction. Michigan authorities advised that Daniel Onoh, 40, took the vehicle and his 5-year-old son without permission from the boy’s mother, who has legal custody of the child.

ASP Troopers spotted the vehicle traveling north on Interstate 530 near Sweet Home. Knowing an innocent child was on board, Troopers used multiple units to slowly stop the vehicle by boxing it in on Interstate 30 West, just west of Geyer Springs Road. The boy was safely removed from the vehicle.

“Many of our Troopers are parents themselves, so securing a child and returning him to his mother was an honor,” said Colonel Mike Hagar. “Keeping innocent civilians safe is always our top priority.”

Onoh was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Pulaski County Detention Center, where he is being held on charges of Felony Theft by Receiving. Onoh also has a misdemeanor warrant out of Texas.

Troopers ensured the child's safety during the traffic stop and transported him to the ASP Headquarters, where Troopers made sure he was comfortable and able to talk to his mother. He was released to the Arkansas Department of Human Services, which coordinated his care until his mother was able to make her way to Arkansas. The boy and his mother returned to Michigan and are working with authorities who are investigating the incident. Felony kidnapping charges are pending.