Bond Denied for Richland County Woman Accused of Kidnapping Autistic 3-Year-Old

In a shocking incident, a woman from Richland County, South Carolina, has been denied bond on charges of allegedly kidnapping a three-year-old nonverbal autistic boy. The woman in question, 40-year-old Atia Thomas, was arrested on Sunday after investigators teamed up to find the little boy who had wandered off from home. The incident took place in the Richland Terrace Apartments near Broad River Road, Columbia.

Chain of Events

According to reports, Kayden Thompson, the three-year-old child, was reported missing around 2 in the morning after he went missing from his home. Surveillance cameras in a neighboring apartment captured Thomas, holding Kayden, and walking towards the front of the apartment complex. The incident alarmed everyone in the apartment complex and the nearby areas, causing distress and tension among the population. Kayden’s mother, still shaken, expressed her relief at having her son back safe at home.

Cries for Help

One of the neighbors, wishing to remain anonymous, recounted the horrifying episode. She shares the memory of the distressing screams coming from Kayden’s mother when she discovered her son was missing. According to her account, a Richland County Deputy knocked on doors at around 3 in the morning, executing door-to-door investigations after Kayden’s disappearance.

Rapid Response and Rescue

On the horrific night, Kayden’s father awakened to find the apartment door wide open and Kayden absent. A fast-paced search ensued, with investigators on foot and bicycles, and family members joining in. Four painstaking hours later, Kayden’s distinct sounds from nearby led them to discover Atia Thomas, attempting to enter an Uber with Kayden. Thomas was arrested on the spot.

Background Check on the Accused

Upon running a background check on Thomas, it was discovered that she had a previous arrest record. In 2023, she was charged with placing a child at risk unlawfully, and at the time of this kidnapping, she was out on bond for that charge. The investigating authorities are still trying to uncover the motive behind the alleged kidnapping and are also examining if she might be suffering from any mental illness.

Plea for Justice

Commenting on the incident, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott stated, “This is not a family abduction, or a friend abduction, but a stranger abduction.” He assured the public that all possible efforts are being made to find answers to the many questions surrounding the case. The date for Thomas’s next court appearance is awaited. The close-knit community, still in shock, can only pray and hope that justice would be served swiftly.