Florida Father Accused of Kidnapping Daughter, Murdering Her Mother: Cops
An Amber Alert was issued for Alessia Muhaj (right) after her mother was found dead and she was missing, police said.
Feb. 4 2024, Published 11:03 a.m. ET
A Florida man has been arrested after he allegedly kidnapped his 8-year-old daughter after killing her mother, according to authorities.
Around 3:15 a.m. on Jan. 29, officers from the Largo Police Department responded to an apartment in Clearwater to assist local police in a felony battery case, officials said.
At the apartment, police found 32-year-old Suela Saliaj dead and her 8-year-old daughter, Alessia Muhaj, missing.
An Amber Alert was issued as police attempted to locate 34-year-old Renato Muhaj and the girl, who were reportedly traveling in a gold 2017 Kia Sportage.
Officials said Saliaj and Muhaj were the parents of the girl, but they were not in a relationship.
Police were able to use cell phone activity to track Muhaj, who was found with the girl inside the vehicle around 8:30 a.m., officials said.
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Muhaj was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and child abuse, police said.
He is also facing additional charges in connection with the battery case.
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