Gabriel Johnson update: Jack and Tammi Smith’s home searched

Gabriel Johnson has not been seen since December 26, 2009. The couple that was interested in adopting him, Jack and Tammi Smith, have been named ‘persons of interest’ in the case, and now, police say that they have conducted a search of the couple’s Arizona home on Thursday night, January 14, 2010. Police spent several hours searching the Smith’s home, but have yet to state what they were looking for or if they found any evidence in the case.

As the search for Gabriel Johnson continues, Elizabeth Johnson continues to tell authorities that she gave the child to a couple that she met in San Antonio, Texas. Other than that story, she isn’t speaking to investigators. Police have seized a GPS unit that was located in Elizabeth Johnson’s car. Investigators are working to retrieve evidence from the GPS unit that will identify where Elizabeth traveled in Texas. In addition to the GPS unit, police have stated that when Elizabeth Johnson was arrested on New Year’s Eve, she was in possession of a camera. Forensic experts are reviewing the photos retrieved from the camera for additional clues in the case.

Tammi Smith spoke with Nancy Grace on Friday night and stated that the police were at her home for approximately six hours. Tammi Smith maintained her innocence in the situation and said that police told her to come clean, believing that she set Elizabeth Johnson up with a couple. Tammi Smith denies knowing where Gabriel Johnson is or that she arranged for a couple to take the child.

Elizabeth Johnson stood before an Arizona judge last week where the issue of bond was discussed. A county attorney presented the state’s case against Elizabeth and said, “Your Honor, there`s two victims in this case, Logan McQueary, Gabriel`s father, and 8-month-old Gabriel. And I want to point out the harm that is caused to both of those people in this case. The defendant took Gabriel from his father, concealed him, ran to Texas, and somewhere in Texas says she left Gabriel with strangers and/or killed him. We have no idea the harm that Gabriel has suffered or is continuing to suffer in this case because the defendant refuses to tell anyone where he is or if he is dead or alive.”

Elizabeth Johnson’s bond was set at 1,100,000 cash only. Elizabeth Johnson faces charges of child abuse, custodial interference, and kidnapping. She has been appointed a public defender.

Prime Writer News Network Topic:  Gabriel Johnson

Gabriel Johnson case: Not the first time Gabriel went missing

Gabriel Johnson has been missing since December 26, 2009. That’s when authorities say that there was a credible sighting of Gabriel. Gabriel’s mother, Elizabeth Johnson, showed up at a Miami, Florida hostel without Gabriel. After a tip was sent to police, Elizabeth was arrested at the hostel on December 31, 2009. She has been of little assistance determining the whereabouts of her son, Gabriel. This, however, is not the first time that Gabriel went missing.

Endangered missing Gabriel Johnson (photos, slideshow, video)

Gabriel was reported missing on December 9, 2009, in Tempe, Arizona. Elizabeth Johnson had accused Gabriel’s father, Logan McQueary of taking Gabriel. However, she had really brought him to the residence of Tammi and Jack Smith in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was with the Smith’s for approximately 6 hours. Now, prosecutors are considering filing charges against her for filing a false police report.

Elizabeth Johnson states that she gave Gabriel to a couple in San Antonio before leaving for Florida on December 27, 2009. Tammi and Jack Smith, however, told reporters that they had spoke with Elizabeth until the day of her arrest, December 31, 2009, and that she heard Gabriel in the background. Police have recently announced that both Jack and Tammi Smith are ‘persons of interest’ in Gabriel’s disappearance.

According to the East Valley Tribune, the Smith’s had offered to take a polygraph test but were only questioned by police.

Click here to see Elizabeth Johnson’s arrest record and mugs shot

Source: East Valley Tribune

Prime Writer News Network Topic: Gabriel Johnson

Gabriel Johnson: Jack and Tammi Smith named persons of interest in missing child case (video)

Shocking new developments in the Gabriel Johnson case, Jack and Tammi Smith have now been named as persons of interests. Jack and Tammi Smith have made several appearances on the Nancy Grace show and discussed how they met Gabriel Johnson’s mother, Elizabeth Johnson. Tammi Smith had stated that they had hoped to adopt baby Gabriel, but at the last minute, she fled Tempe, Arizona and went to San Antonio, Texas.

(Click here to see a photo slideshow of Gabriel Johnson)

The move caused much speculation as Elizabeth claimed that she gave Gabriel to strangers that she met on the bus. Meanwhile, Jack and Tammi Smith, who had met Gabriel and began bonding with him, were left in Tempe, Arizona without the baby. Police have not stated why Jack and Tammi Smith are persons of interest, but they believe that they have information that would lead to the recovery of missing Gabriel.  (See Back Stories Here)

Tammi Smith spoke on national television and remarked on Elizabeth’s innocence. She said, “She’s completely innocent. She loves that baby, and just wants to find a good home for that baby. As a mother, I commend her.”

Gabriel’s father, Logan McQueary has told authorities that both Elizabeth and Tammi Smith have approached him regarding signing custody over to Jack and Tammi Smith. He has refused, he has legal custody of his son and wants him back.

Did Tammi and Jack Smith have something to do with Gabriel’s disappearance? Would a mother give her baby away to strangers when she already knew a couple who wanted to adopt him? What kind of information does law enforcement have regarding Jack and Tammi Smith to classify them as ‘persons of interests.’

We’ll have all that and more in our next update.

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Gabriel Johnson you are asked to contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST) or the Tempe Police Department (Arizona) at 1-480-350-8311. Of course, you may call 911.

Prime Writer News Network Topic: Gabriel Johnson