John Montoya and Monica Jody Martinez are in custody thanks to a watchful Gallup Motel 6 clerk. The clerk recognized the couple and vehicle based off an Amber Alert that was issued at 1 am and called police.
GPD Lt. Rosanne Morrissette said the two girls, ages 11 months and 3, were already in Utah state custody when the couple learned that the children were visiting a relative's home. It's not clear why the children were taken from the biological parents in the first place, but both of the parents have an alleged history of drug use and violence.
Gallup Police Department officers and McKinley County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the call at 4:06 am, and the couple was taken into custody without incident. The children were unharmed.
Morrissette noted that GPD Sgt. Emery Holly was involved with helping to provide the baby and toddler with supplies.
"He purchased diapers, formula and other needed items for the children," she said.
The children were taken into the custody of Children, Youth and Families Department.
Montoya and Martinez have been booked into McKinley County Adult Detention Center on felony kidnapping charges. They are awaiting extradition to Utah. Each suspect is being held on a $500,000 cash only bond.
