NewsPinellas County

Actions

6-year-old Pinellas Park boy at center of Amber Alert found safe

Posted at 10:53 PM, Oct 02, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-03 02:16:28-04

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. -- A 6-year-old boy at the center of an Amber Alert has been found safe, according to authorities.

Earlier in the evening, Pinellas Park police say Frederick Canady tried to carjack two different vehicles at a McDonald's parking lot at 7001 U.S. 19 a little before 7:30 p.m. After failing the first two times, he successfully carjacked a 2009 light blue Kia Sedona. Police say the Kia Sedona got stolen after someone tried to intervene during the second attempt..

Police said he fled with the woman and two young children inside, but a couple of hundred yards later forced them all out of the minivan.

After forcing the three people out of the minivan, Canady drove out the parking lot, police say. During the carjacking, Canady had his 6-year-old nephew, Marqus Perkins, in his care. Police said Perkins had been with his uncle throughout the day and that the two arrived together to the restaurant on a bike.

While Perkins didn't participate in the carjacking, the little boy disappeared with his uncle in the stolen minivan, police say.

Before Perkins was eventually found safe, authorities issued an Amber Alert for the little boy.

Officials did not say if Canady has been found.

Story developing, refresh for updates. Stay with ABC Action News for the latest.