Seven-Month-Old Child Safely Recovered Following Reported Kidnapping in Henagar
Suspect Arrested
HENEGAR — A seven-month-old child reported kidnapped Saturday night in Henagar was safely recovered unharmed less than two hours later, leading to the arrest of a New Jersey man now facing kidnapping and human smuggling charges.
According to the Office of DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden, Henagar Police responded at approximately 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, to MJ Fuels after parents reported that their infant child had allegedly been taken by a man they had been traveling with.
The DeKalb County Drugs and Major Crimes Unit responded to assist with the investigation, and an area-wide “Be On the Lookout” alert, commonly known as a BOLO, was issued for both the endangered child and the suspect vehicle.
During the investigation, authorities determined that the suspect, later identified as 29-year-old Selvin Alirio Reyes-Lopez of New Jersey, had left the gas station in a white Ford Expedition traveling westbound on Highway 40 toward Jackson County.
Investigators were in the process of issuing a nationwide Amber Alert when, at approximately 11:15 p.m., DeKalb County 911 received notification that officers with the Madison Police Department had located the vehicle and Reyes-Lopez in Madison, Alabama. Authorities also confirmed the seven-month-old child was found unharmed.
Investigators with the DeKalb County Drugs and Major Crimes Unit and Henagar Police officers traveled to Madison, where Reyes-Lopez was taken into custody and charged with second-degree kidnapping.
According to investigators, additional findings during the case revealed indicators that Reyes-Lopez may have been involved in human smuggling activities. Authorities further determined that Reyes-Lopez is a Guatemalan national who was allegedly residing illegally in the United States. The Department of Homeland Security is now assisting with the investigation.
On Monday, May 11, investigators obtained additional warrants charging Reyes-Lopez with two counts of human smuggling under Alabama Code 31-13-13.1. Those warrants were served while Reyes-Lopez remained incarcerated at the DeKalb County Detention Center.
The Sheriff’s Office credited the coordinated response of multiple agencies and assistance from management at MJ Fuels in Henagar, whose immediate access to surveillance footage reportedly helped investigators quickly identify Reyes-Lopez and safely recover the child.
Sheriff Nick Welden praised the response effort, calling the arrest the result of strong teamwork among law enforcement agencies and expressing gratitude that the child was safely returned home. Welden emphasized that protecting children from exploitation remains among law enforcement’s highest responsibilities.
The investigation remains ongoing
