CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Destiny Boykins, the girl at the center of an Amber Alert Sunday morning, has been found safe and has been reunited with her mother.
Police responded to a call around 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, November 11 that three-year-old Boykins was abducted from an apartment on Hudson Boulevard in Gastonia.
The alleged abductor Maurice Knox, 57, was arrested by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and U.S. Marshals after a traffic accident at the intersection of Remount Road and Toomey Avenue. Knox is Boykins' biological father.
According to CMPD, Knox was driving a Nissan Altima with his kidnapped-daughter inside. Deputies with the U.S. Marshal Service located the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop.
Officials say Knox refused to stop, causing a vehicle pursuit. A CMPD K-9 officer became involved on I-77 north near South Tryon Street. Knox continued to flee and exited off I-77 North onto Remount Road.
Shortly after, Knox's car was involved in an accident with two other vehicles on Remount Road at Toomey Avenue, according to reports.
A Ford Fusion, operated by Celeste Griffin-Churchill, was struck by Knox's Nissan. Both cars then struck a Dodge Challenger, operated by Christopher Funderburk, which was traveling west on Remount Road.
Everyone involved in the crash was transported by Medic to the hospital. Boykins was not in a child seat, according to police, but was restrained in a seatbelt at the time of the collision.
Griffin-Churchill is being treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The driver and passenger of the Dodge were treated for minor injuries but have since been released. Boykins was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Knox was also admitted to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He was found to be impaired at the time of the crash. Officers from CMPD's Major Crash Investigation Unit/DWI Task Force have obtained warrants for Knox's arrest.
From CMPD, Knox reportedly faces three counts of assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of felony serious injury by motor vehicle, felony flee to elude a law enforcement officer, felony child abuse/neglect and reckless driving.
Medic was able to confirm to NBC Charlotte that the child is alright.
Officials say that Knox was charged in regards to this case by the Gastonia Police Department for domestic criminal trespass, breaking and entering, assault on a female, felonious restraint, two counts of kidnapping, two counts of assault on a law enforcement officer, child endangerment and careless and reckless driving.
Knox was also in violation of a domestic violence protection order from Gaston County, according to the official release. Other charges may still be pending from additional agencies.
