Amber Alert Update: Wichita police recount efforts during search; father in custody, child safe

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Sedgwick County Jail records confirm initial charges against a 21-year-old Wichita man who’s in custody in connection with an Amber Alert issued on Sunday afternoon concerning his 2-year-old daughter.

Records show that Saul Gonzalez-Diaz was booked into jail on Sunday evening for aggravated domestic battery, battery, endangering a child, and criminal damage to property. Gonzalez-Diaz’s daughter was safely reunited with her mother on Sunday, ending the Amber Alert.

Sunday night, the Wichita Police Department provided further information surrounding the case, including the initial call that prompted the statewide alert and the technology and resources that helped in the search for Gonzalez-Diaz and his daughter.

This all began about 2 a.m. Sunday with Wichita police responding to a reported domestic violence incident in the 4200 block of East Boston, in a neighborhood southwest of Lincoln and Oliver.

“During the investigation, officers learned a disturbance had occurred between a 21-year-old Wichita man and a 22-year-old Wichita woman. The investigation determined the man had allegedly battered the woman before leaving the residence with the couple’s 2-year-old daughter,” Wichita police said. “As soon as officers learned the child was with the suspect, they immediately began coordinating resources to locate the child and safely take the suspect into custody.”

Wichita police said the investigation included the use of Flock Safety camera technology, phone location data, “and other investigative resources to track the suspect’s movements.”

Wichita police also issued an “attempt to locate” and “be on the lookout” advisory over the radio for officers to find the girl and the suspect. As the investigation progressed, officers searched and followed up on leads.

The KBI shared that they were first alerted by WPD to the incident at 11:39 a.m. on Sunday, about nine and a half hours after the initial police response. On Monday, Wichita police explained the delay in alerting the KBI, saying that officers had to ensure that the information known at the time was verifiable and credible from the victim and potential witnesses.

The KBI’s involvement kickstarted the Amber Alert. From there, the KBI said the Amber Alert team began screening with WPD to make sure the situation met the criteria for an Amber Alert. The alert was approved at 12:17 p.m. Over the next hour, the KBI worked with officers to get descriptions and photos.

The KBI received a photo of the child at 1:20 p.m. The Amber Alert was sent out at 1:31 p.m.

About an hour later, a break in the investigation came when officers found the suspect’s vehicle in the 500 block of North Ash.

“Officers quickly established a perimeter around the residence and made repeated announcements in an effort to safely contact anyone inside,” Wichita police said. “Because it was unknown whether the suspect and child were inside the home, officers took a deliberate and cautious approach to protect everyone involved.”

Police said officers entered the home “with assistance and cooperation of family members.” Inside the home, they found the 2-year-old and Gonzalez-Diaz.

The WPD noted that EMS evaluated the child at the scene and officers took Gonzalez-Diaz into custody “without incident.”

“The Wichita Police Department is grateful for the successful outcome and the dedication of everyone involved,” police said.