Update Baby Found Safe, Antioch PD Continues Search for Joshua Benton

The 11-month-old baby who was taken by her father, Joshua Benton, on Rainier Drive in Antioch Monday morning has been found safely after an Amber Alert was issued.

As a result of the Amber Alert put out by the California Highway Patrol, Joshua Benton was subsequently seen a short distance from his residence holding baby Justice and being followed by family members. Upon seeing police officers, Benton handed the baby to a family member and fled on foot.

Police set up a large perimeter from the Antioch Health Center down towards Putnam focusing in the area of 3200 Lone Tree Way.  Police searched neighborhoods along Elizabeth Way and around the water treatment plant.

During the search, police were negotiating surrender with the Joshua Benton’s father who stated he was at a park hiding in a bathroom and would walk out with his hand up followed by laying on the ground—searches of Chichibu Park, Park Middle School, and Mountaire Park turned up no signs of Benton.

Police had found the green van off Deer Valley and Whitetail Dr. after the man driving called Police to let him know he picked up Mr. Benton and dropped him off at Jack in the Box. A search of Jack and the Box did not turn up Benton.

Benton, 23, is described as an African-American male, 5-foot-8, weighing 144 pounds. He was last seen wearing a blue shirt, white shorts, flip flops and a brown hat.

Authorities said the suspect may be armed and dangerous.

Update

Joshua Elijah Benton turned himself in at 6 p.m. Monday, according to the Antioch Police Department. He was taken to Martinez Detention Facility, where he is being held in lieu of $235,000 bail.

Here was the alert that was issued:

Here is the alert:

ALERT ACTIVATION – EDIS FLASH

ON JUNE 24, 2013, AT 10:19, JUSTICE ALASHEIA BENTON WAS ABDUCTED FROM ANTIOCH, CALIFORNIA. JUSTIC ALASHEIA BENTON IS AN 11 MONTH OLD BLACK, FEMALE, JUVENILE, LAST SEEN WEARING PINK PAJAMAS. OTHER VICTIM INFORMATION INCLUDES: LIGHT SKINNED.

SUSPECT IS JOSHUA ELIJAH BENTON, A 23 YEAR OLD, BLACK MALE, 5 FEET 8 INCHES TALL, WEIGHING 144 POUNDS, WITH “TWISTY” STYLE HAIR AND BROWN EYES, LAST SEEN WEARING WHITE SHORTS, BLUE T-SHIRT, FLIP FLOPS AND A BROWN HAT. OTHER SUSPECT INFORMATION INCLUDES: LIGHT SKINNED AND POSSIBLY ARMED AND DANGEROUS.

THE SUSPECT WAS LAST SEEN DRIVING A DARK GREEN DODGE CARAVAN, UNKNOWN LICENSE PLATE, WITH TINTED BACK WINDOWS. THERE IS AN UNKNOWN SECOND SUSPECT DRIVING THE VEHICLE.

*******THE SUSPECT IS POSSIBLY ARMED AND DANGEROUS, WITH VIOLENT BEHAVIOR

SEEN CONTACT ANTIOCH POLICE DEPARTMENT AT (925) 778-2441. ANTIOCH POLICE DEPARTMENT

ANTIOCH POLICE DEPARTMENT PHONE NUMBER: (925) 778 – 2441 20130624 1159 HRS BFW 1372100515145