Man accused of kidnapping child from Millcreek home arrested, child safe

(WJET/WFXP)– The man accused of kidnapping his biological daughter from her Millcreek Township home has been arrested, and the child is safe, according to police.

According to Millcreek Township Police Chief Carter Mook, 35-year-old Jafar Almaarej of Dearborn, Michigan, turned himself in around 3 pm Tuesday after being located by United States Marshals.

Chief Mook said Almaarej was found in the Pittsburgh area and drove himself up to Erie to turn himself in with marshals following him. He’s set to be arraigned in Erie County Court on Tuesday evening.

Almaarej is accused of taking his biological daughter from his ex-wife’s home on August 3 while she was at work, then sending her a threatening text message telling her they’d have to “search for their bones” if she contacted law enforcement.

Almaarej already had an order of protection against him for both his ex-wife and daughter.

He’s being charged with one count each of felony kidnapping and interference with custody of children and misdemeanor terroristic threats.

Chief Mook gave a special thank you to the US Marshals for their help.