Update: From The Gwinnett County Police Department – Royal Marks has been safely located, and Michelle Marks is now in police custody.
Detectives assigned to this case acted swiftly, pursuing all available leads. During the investigation, they discovered that Michelle Marks had traveled earlier today from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport using an alias. Detectives promptly alerted the LAPD, who successfully located both Michelle Marks and Royal Marks at a location previously associated with Michelle Marks. Detectives would like to thank the Los Angeles Police Department and federal and state agencies for assisting in this case.
The original article is below.
The Gwinnett County Police Department is searching for Royal Marks, 7, who was taken by his mother, Michelle Marks, during a visit in Snellville early Tuesday morning.
Michelle Marks, who police say lost custody of Royal last year in Oklahoma due to child neglect, now faces kidnapping charges.
Just the facts:
- On Dec. 17, police responded to a 911 call on Valley Bluff Lane in Snellville. Royal’s father told officers that Michelle had taken Royal overnight after making threats to harm herself.
- Family members reported hearing Michelle’s threats during discussions about an upcoming custody hearing.
- Michelle Marks has prior warrants in Oklahoma and has used multiple aliases, including Michelle Jones, Michelle Legacy, and Michelle Young.
- She is described as 5’3” tall, weighing 140 pounds. Royal is 4’11” tall, weighs about 90 pounds, and was last seen wearing a red thermal shirt with white lettering and jogging pants.
- Michelle does not own a vehicle but may use ride-share services. Authorities believe she may try to leave Georgia with Royal.
How you can help: Anyone with information is urged to contact Gwinnett County detectives at 770-513-5300. To remain anonymous, tipsters can reach out to Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit stopcrimeATL.com. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for tips leading to an arrest and indictment.
⚠️ Reminder: Crime articles contain only charges and information from police reports and law enforcement statements. Suspects and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
