Missing 3-year-old Avondale girl located safely at Phoenix QuikTrip after overnight Amber Alert search
Child found Sunday morning after report of abduction from Avondale home
A 3-year-old girl reported missing from Avondale late Friday, February 20, 2026, was found safe Sunday morning, February 22, at a gas station in Phoenix, bringing an end to a regional search that had prompted an Amber Alert.
Authorities identified the child as Kehlani Marie Rogers. Police said she was last seen at about 11:30 p.m. Friday at a residence near 118th Avenue and Edgemont Street, just south of West Thomas Road. An Amber Alert was issued on Saturday, February 21, after investigators determined the circumstances met the criteria for an alert and that the child was believed to be in danger.
Where the child was located
On Sunday morning, law enforcement confirmed Kehlani was located safely at a QuikTrip near 27th Avenue and West Thomas Road in Phoenix. A Phoenix police lieutenant was reported to be on scene when the child was found.
Authorities have not released details about the child’s medical condition at the time she was recovered, beyond confirming she was safe. The circumstances leading to her discovery at the gas station and who first alerted police at that location have not been publicly detailed.
Suspect identification and last known movements
Police said the child was allegedly taken by a 23-year-old woman identified as Mariana Noriega, who was described as not being a family member. Investigators said the Amber Alert and related bulletins were supported by surveillance and public tips during the search.
Authorities reported that surveillance footage placed the child and the suspect together in Maricopa on Saturday, February 21. Police communications during the search included descriptions of the child’s clothing that changed from the initial missing-person description to what she was seen wearing in surveillance images.
Missing report time: about 11:30 p.m., February 20, 2026
Amber Alert issued: February 21, 2026
Child located: morning of February 22, 2026, near 27th Avenue and Thomas Road, Phoenix
What remains unknown
As of Sunday, authorities had not publicly confirmed the suspect’s status following the child’s recovery. Investigators also had not released a detailed account of how the suspect traveled through the region, whether any additional individuals may have assisted, or whether criminal charges had been filed.
Kehlani Marie Rogers was found safe Sunday morning at a Phoenix gas station after an Amber Alert search that began in Avondale.
The investigation remains ongoing. Police have indicated that information from community members played a role in generating leads during the search, and officials are expected to provide additional details as the case proceeds.