Woman arrested, accused of child kidnapping in South Salt Lake Amber Alert

SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah woman has been arrested and accused of kidnapping a child, leading to an Amber Alert on Friday in South Salt Lake.

Marie Erika Lynn Marsh, 33, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail Friday night for investigation of child kidnapping and obstruction of justice.

The investigation into Marsh started Friday afternoon when police received report of a possible abduction at The Hub Apartments, 3848 S. West Temple Street. The caller reported her 9-year-old son had been taken the night before by a "female acquaintance" who was identified as Marsh, according to a police booking affidavit.

The boy's mother told police that Marsh had convinced the boy to leave with her the night before, but Marsh was never given permission to take the child, the affidavit states. The mother also stated Marsh had threatened in the past to take the child and move to a family shelter in St. George.

The mother had been communicating with Marsh over Facebook Messenger, and officers were able to speak with Marsh on the phone through the app. At the time, Marsh was unaware that the police were involved and told the mother she did not have the boy anymore but had dropped him off at a local park hours before.

"Officers later checked the park, as well as the child's residence, but did not locate the child. During an additional conversation, Marsh told officers that she had actually dropped the child off with a DCFS case worker," the police booking affidavit states.

Investigators discovered Marsh had used her own two minor children "to gain access to the victim and convince the family that the victim was with to allow the victim to go with (her)," police said.

"Due to the victim's unknown whereabouts, an Amber Alert was issued," police said.

The alert was quickly canceled, however, as Marsh contacted police and said she was with the boy at 7200 S. 380 East. Police arrived and took Marsh into custody.

"During an interview, Marie stated that the 9-year-old child told her that he had permission to go with her," the affidavit states.

Police requested Marsh be held without bail as she showed a "clear disregard" for the law and used "subterfuge to gain access to a child who she has no legal right to."

"Marsh used her own minor children to gain access to the victim, putting her own children at risk. (She) lied to the victim's mother and police about the victim's location and made numerous comments about taking the child away from the parent and across the state," the affidavit says. "Marsh, even after knowing that the victim's parent was looking for him as well as the police, continued to conceal the child and deprive the parent."

According to court documents, Marsh's criminal history appears to include convictions for drug possession, joyriding, providing false personal information, criminal mischief and escape from custody.

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