3 arrested for kidnapping children in Lafayette

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WISH) – Three people are in custody following the kidnapping of two young children, according to the Lafayette Police Department.

On Nov. 1, just after 2:15 p.m., officers received responded to a report of a kidnapping in the 200 block of North 2nd Street in Lafayette.

Police said a 2-year-old and 3-year-old were being taken from their mother by their biological father, 28-year-old Joshua Marsh, his sister Jessica Marsh, 30 and his Marsh’s mother, 50-year-old Melissa Whitaker.

Just after 2:15 p.m., offices initiated a traffic stop of one of the suspect’s vehicles near 9th and Brown Streets. As a result of that stop, Whitaker was arrested.

Then just before 2:45 p.m., Joshua Marsh and Jessica Marsh were found in an apartment in the 1000 block of Main Street. Both were also taken into custody. The two children were also inside the apartment.

The children were unharmed and were returned to their mother.

Joshua Marsh faces preliminary charges of kidnapping and neglect. Jessica Marsh and Melissa Whitaker face preliminary charges of kidnapping.