HENDERSON, Texas — An East Texas child who was at the center of a now-canceled AMBER Alert has been temporarily placed with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
According to the Henderson Police Department, on Tuesday, officers responded to a reported parental abduction of 2-year-old Ariel Smith.
Police were able to get in contact with the child's father, LaMarcus Smith, who officials say cooperated with authorities and delivered the child to the police station.
In an exclusive interview with CBS19, the father, along with family members, say they brought the toddler to the police station to clear up a "misunderstanding."
"We don't have anything to hide from the Henderson Police Department," LaMarcus' brother Recardo said. "My brother was having problems with his baby's mother.. She called and said that my brother had kidnapped the baby, which was false accusations, because my brother has had the baby since childbirth."
Recardo says his brother would never put Ariel in danger.
"I just think they've brought shame to my family's name behind all this foolishness without getting enough information," Recardo explained.
According to the HPD, after an extensive interview with LaMarcus, along with results from the investigation, it was determined no criminal charges would be filed at this time.
"The child has been temporarily placed with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services," the HPD said in a statement.
