Baby Gabriel Johnson Update: "Person of Interest" Tammi Smith Arrested for Custodial Interference
Photo: Gabriel Johnson.
Tempe police said Smith will be charged with custodial interference, conspiracy to commit custodial interference and forgery. The release did not elaborate on what the charges were based on.
Tammi and her husband Jack tried to adopt Gabriel but his biological father, Logan McQueary, refused to give up his parental rights. McQueary says that the Smiths continuously pushed him to surrender the child but he refused, according to CBS affiliate KPHO.
Photo: Gabriel Johnson.
Since the beginning, police have said Tammi Smith was not completely forthcoming in her interviews with officers.
As late as last week Tammi Smith was saying she had nothing to do with Gabriel's disappearance, inviting the police to search her computer saying she had "nothing to hide."
Upon hearing of the arrest, McQueary said it was a long time coming. He and his family are currently on a road trip to retrace Johnson's steps in an effort to find baby Gabriel.
The 8-month-old disappeared shortly before his mother, Elizabeth Johnson, told McQueary she killed the child, and told police she gave him away to strangers during a Texas road trip.
Gabriel was last seen Dec. 26, 2009. Elizabeth Johnson, 23, was picked up by police Dec. 30 in Miami. She had left her car in San Antonio and eventually told police she gave her baby to strangers there.
MEDIA
PICTURES: Baby Gabriel Johnson Missing
MORE ON CRIMESIDER
February 2, 2010 - Missing Baby Gabriel Johnson: Police Focus on Landfill, Do They Believe 8-Month-Old is Dead?
January 27, 2010 - Can Father's Love and GPS Find Missing Baby Gabriel Johnson?
January 19, 2010 - Missing Baby Gabriel Johnson: Do Disturbing New Photos Show Baby's Last Day Alive?
January 13, 2010 - Did Elizabeth Johnson Sell Missing Son Gabriel Johnson, Kill Him, or Just Give Him Away?
January 11, 2010 - Couple Who Hoped to Adopt Ariz. Baby Took Lie Detector Test
January 11, 2010 - Did Elizabeth Johnson Give Her Baby to Strangers? Arizona Mom Faces Kidnapping, Child Abuse Charges
January 8, 2010 - Couple Who Hoped to Adopt Baby Gabriel Johnson Now "Persons of Interest" In His Disappearance
January 6, 2010 - Arizona Baby Gabriel Johnson Missing After Road Trip; Mom Refuses to Help Police