Arizona Amber Alert for Kehlani Rogers of Avondale Canceled After Toddler Found Safe
A statewide Amber Alert issued for 2-year-old Kehlani Rogers of Avondale, Arizona has been canceled after the toddler was safely recovered at a Phoenix gas station on Sunday morning, February 22, 2026. The suspect, 23-year-old Marina Noriega, was taken into custody without incident and is now facing criminal charges.
Amber Alert Issued After Kehlani Rogers Vanishes From Avondale Home
The Arizona Amber Alert was triggered after Kehlani Rogers was reported missing from her Avondale home near 118th Avenue and West Thomas Road late on the night of February 20, at approximately 11:30 p.m. ET. Her family spent several hours searching for her before contacting police. Officers determined that Noriega, a recently-met acquaintance of the family, had left the home with the child overnight without the family's knowledge or consent.
Who Is Kehlani Rogers and What Happened in Avondale
Kehlani Rogers, originally reported as 3 years old before police corrected her age to 2, is described as a Black girl with brown hair and hazel eyes. She was last seen wearing pink pajamas with her hair in braids. Avondale, located in Maricopa County west of Phoenix, became the center of a multi-agency search that included Avondale Police, Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies, the Child Abduction Response Team, and the FBI.
Surveillance Video and Community Tips Drive the Arizona Amber Alert Search
Investigators located surveillance footage showing Noriega and Kehlani Rogers together at a local business in Maricopa, Arizona on Saturday. A community member who spotted the pair reported a possible sighting near 27th Avenue and Indian School Road in Phoenix, providing police with a critical lead. That tip proved decisive, directing law enforcement directly to the location where Kehlani was ultimately recovered.
Moving Crew Blocks Suspect's Vehicle at Phoenix QuikTrip
A crew from Camelback Moving became unlikely heroes in the Avondale Amber Alert case when a QuikTrip security guard recognized Kehlani Rogers and Noriega at a Phoenix gas station near 27th Avenue and Thomas Road. The moving crew, all fathers themselves, pulled up their phones, confirmed the match, and strategically positioned two of their trucks to box in the suspect's vehicle and prevent any escape. Phoenix Police arrived within minutes and recovered the child unharmed.
Suspect Marina Noriega Arrested and Charged in Kehlani Rodgers Case
Marina Noriega, 23, described as a white female with brown hair and hazel eyes at approximately 5 feet 1 inch tall, was arrested at the scene and booked into the Maricopa County Jail system. She faces one count of custodial interference. Her bail was set at $250,000. Court appearances are scheduled for March 2 and March 4. Avondale Police confirmed that Noriega was a recently-met acquaintance of the Rogers family, not a relative.
Avondale Amber Alert Ends With Kehlani Rogers Safe and Unharmed
Lt. Manuel Rios of the Avondale Police Department officially confirmed that Kehlani Rogers was found safe and in good health, and that authorities do not believe she was harmed during the ordeal. The Arizona Amber Alert system was credited as a key factor in the toddler's safe recovery. Avondale Police praised media partners, federal and local law enforcement, and especially the community members whose swift actions brought Kehlani home safely.
