IMPD: Kidnappings may have drug ties

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The abduction of two children Monday may have been related to drugs, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officials said Tuesday afternoon.

Aaron and Emma Blackwell, both teenagers, were taken from their home at gunpoint around 3:30 a.m. Monday, prompting an Amber Alert. Police tracked the case to Detroit, where a person of interest was identified Monday night. The children have since returned to Indiana and are being cared for by Child Protective Services, according to IMPD.

The children, ages 13 and 16, will remain with CPS until police can be sure they are no longer in danger. Police say the teens were likely targeted.

IMPD continues to investigate the abduction along with Detroit Police Department and federal law enforcement. Officials with IMPD said the teens’ older sister, Whitney Blackwell, was arrested on an outstanding warrant. According to sources with IMPD, police are investigating whether or not a possible drug transaction led to the abduction of the two teens. Police are also working to determine if other family members are involved.

“We are not done yet, anyone involved in that activity we will bring them to justice,” said Police Chief Rick Hite.

The children’s father Isaac Pernell told 24 Hour News 8, that his older stepdaughter stole money from drug dealers in Detroit, and that three men came down to Indianapolis demanding their money back.

When they didn’t get the money, the suspects took the children as ransom.

There was little activity outside of the home Tuesday afternoon and a pad secured the door.

It’s unclear if the family will return back to the home. Hite expressed frustration when discussing how the children where used as ransom in this crime.

“You don’t put children who are asleep in their warm beds, take them out in the dead cold of night and abduct them in the cold night,” said Hite.