Woman charged with kidnapping after pretending to be child’s mom, taking her from school, police say
A local woman is accused of posing as the mother of a child and taking him to school, police say.
Online court records filed Thursday show Jamya M. Jones-Houston, 24, of Pittsburgh, was charged with kidnapping of a minor and child custody interference.
According to the criminal complaint, a woman called Homestead police on March 20 to report that Jones-Houston had called Barrett Elementary School pretending to be her and took her daughter out without her permission.
The woman told police she had an active protection from abuse order against Jones-Houston, who is an ex-girlfriend. Police say it does not appear the PFA was ever served.
Additionally, the woman claimed Jones-Houston called her to tell her she had pulled her daughter out of school.
Police spoke with the school principal, who said someone called the school pretending to be the child’s mother and allowed Jones-Houston to take her out.
A security guard checked Jones-Houston’s identity and allowed the child to exit, the complaint states.
Police called Jones-Houston, who allegedly admitted she had the child at a home in Pittsburgh’s East Liberty neighborhood.
Officers found her and the child in the 5500 block of Hays Street. Jones-Houston was arrested on an active arrest warrant from the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office.
Jones-Houston said she met the child’s mother the day before and agreed to pick her up from school.
On April 10, police interviewed the mother, who said Jones-Houston did not have permission to pick up her daughter and that she did not have legal custody of the child.
Channel 11 contacted the Steel Valley School District and received this statement from Superintendent Bryan Macuga:
“On Friday, March 20, a student was illegally removed from Barrett Elementary School by a woman who falsely represented herself to district staff as an approved family member. Upon learning of this misrepresentation, school and district administration took swift and immediate action and law enforcement began an investigation to locate the child.
“Thanks to the quick response of law enforcement and district staff, the child was found unharmed and safely reunited with his mother. The district continues to have constructive and positive communication with the family and with law enforcement. The Steel Valley School District also conducted its own investigation and comprehensive review of its safety protocols and student release procedures. We will monitor and evaluate these protocols while continuing to prioritize the safety and well-being of all our students.
“Thank you to the Homestead Borough Police Department and the Pittsburgh City Police Bureau for their quick response and professionalism in dealing with this situation. As this is now a legal matter, the district cannot make any further comment at this time.”
Download the FREE WPXI News App for breaking news alerts.
Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook And Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
