A man from Jefferson City is facing a parental kidnapping charge in Cole County after the mother reported their 3-year-old daughter missing on Friday.
Thomas Chee, 54, allegedly picked up the child from daycare but then the mother couldn’t contact him. The mother immediately reported the child missing, according to a probable cause statement.
Chee’s cell was pinged by Jefferson City police investigators and located in York, Nebraska, according to court documents.
It is believed Chee was on his way to Santa Rosa, California to visit his mother. York is on one of the most direct routes to Santa Rosa.
JCPD detectives tracked Chee to Salt Lake City where Utah state trooper spotted Chee’s vehicle and arrested him. The child was with him and was taken into protective custody, reportedly unharmed.