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Homicide suspect in custody after alleged kidnapping in Phoenix

Posted 7/24/20

A family is mourning and seeking funds for funeral and recovery expenses after a 13-year-old girl was killed and a 12-year-old girl was seriously injured following an alleged kidnapping in Phoenix.

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Homicide suspect in custody after alleged kidnapping in Phoenix

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A family is mourning and seeking funds for funeral and recovery expenses after a 13-year-old girl was killed and a 12-year-old girl was seriously injured following an alleged kidnapping in Phoenix.

"Desperate need for funeral expenses for Stephanie Chacon who passed away last night at the age of 13," according to a GoFundMe started by family member Briana Campos. "Her sister, Hailey Chacon, is currently in critical condition fighting for her life. The family would appreciate your financial support and prayers during this difficult time. Anything would help and please if anything share the link. Thank you for your time and support.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety says Carlos Eduardo Mora, 27, was arrested in connection with the death and injury of the two. He faces one count each of first-degree murder, aggravated assault and theft, and two counts of kidnapping, according to court documents.

Around 6:30 pm. Wednesday, July 22, Carlos Mora, another man and two girls were getting ready to head to the store from their residence near 55th Avenue and Encanto Boulevard. The other man was supposed to drive them after he used the restroom. However, when he went back inside the home, DPS said Carlos Mora reportedly jumped into the driver’s seat and fled in the vehicle with the two girls still in the backseat. The other man tried to stopped the vehicle from leaving but Carlos Mora allegedly struck him with it, DPS said.

The man who was left behind called one of the girls, who relayed that Carlos Mora was driving crazy before the phone disconnected, records state.

Around 9:30 p.m., the Arizona Department of Public Safety dispatch center received a call of an unknown emergency near US 60/Grand Avenue and Mile Post 116, between Wickenburg and Morristown. Dispatch learned a juvenile was bleeding from the head while on the side of the road.

DPS responded and found two girls on the shoulder of the road, records state. Fire personnel arrived at the scene and pronounced one of them dead. The other had critical injuries and was taken to several Valley hospitals.

Meanwhile, members of the Arizona Department of Transportation located a bloody male at a gas station in Wickenburg, records state. Wickenburg police helped DPS take him into custody.

Records state the man provided a fake story on how he arrived at the station and mentioned the vehicle he was riding in was at a nearby hotel. DPS responded to the hotel and found a vehicle with its windows open and keys in the ignition. They also found a wallet that led them to identify the person at the gas station as Carlos Mora.

Troopers then received information from Phoenix police of a kidnapping call. Records state the family was trying to ping a cell phone, which was last known to be near 132nd Avenue and Indian School Road in Litchfield Park.

According to court documents, Carlos Mora allegedly admitted to taking the vehicle, parking it at the hotel and walking to the gas station to get a drink before he was arrested.

"Mora admitted he saw people in the vehicle and heard screaming from female voices but when he kept making the vehicle swerve the voices went away," authorities stated in court documents. "Mora remembers events of the evening until confronted with direct questions based on interviews that the girls were with him, then can’t remember and hears voices."

He was booked into jail in lieu of $1 million bond.