CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- It was the second time in six months that Chesterfield police rescued a young child involved in an Amber Alert.
Thursday night on Jeff Davis Highway, a three-month-old was rescued after an all-day search that started in Newport News.
The dramatic rescue was caught on a neighbor’s surveillance system: an officer bundled little Jiraiya Cherry in blankets and took him to an ambulance.
Chesterfield officers, along with the US Marshal's Fugitive Task Force, then took 20-year-old Tykirah Reid into custody.
Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew said she was supposed to babysit the boy.
"A lot of phone calls came in and led to some of those leads that we had," Major Mike Louth with Chesterfield Police.
Police swarmed the apartment complex off Goolsby Ave in North Chesterfield after officers located Reid's car. Neighbors say she just moved into the complex within the past few months.
Crime Insider sources say that Reid dropped the baby from about chest high when she saw officers at her door.
"Our folks that work that area started hitting apartment complexes and nearby motels,” said Louth. “Lots of different places around there and were able to locate the vehicle."
Louth gave credit to patrol officers working their beats.
Both Amber Alerts that Chesterfield Police worked on came out of Newport News. Back in August, State Police issued an Amber Alert for four-year-old Autumn Williams. She was found safe after Chesterfield officers located the car heading up the highway.
"A lot of our folks are parents, too, and something happening to a child is a parent's worst nightmare,” said Louth. “We can relate to that, so having the ability to return a child safe and sound to their parents is a great feeling."
It was a feeling that the little boy's grandmother was grateful to experience as well. "I'm happy and grateful, my Jiraiya has returned!" she said.
Tykirah Reid is being held without bond for now.
She is facing charges in Newport News and Chesterfield County.
Sources say police are also investigating is whether Reid tried altering the VIN number on her car.
