COLUMBUS, Ohio — One of the twin Columbus boys who became the center of a statewide AMBER Alert that garnered attention nationwide last year has died.
Columbus police said officers were sent to a home shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday on a report of a baby not breathing.
Medics transported the baby, identified by police as 6-month-old Ky'air Thomas, to Nationwide Children's Hospital where he was pronounced dead less than an hour later.
Columbus police said they were “actively investigating” the boy's death; no additional details were released.
An autopsy was performed Monday by the Franklin County Coroner. A preliminary autopsy report will not be released in the case, according to the coroner's office.
In December 2022, Ky'air and his brother Kason were kidnapped from the Short North Arts District.
Police said the mother of the boys went inside a Donatos Pizza on North High Street for a DoorDash order and left her vehicle running and unlocked with the twins inside.
Nalah Jackson, 24, was inside the restaurant when the mother walked in. Jackson walked out the restaurant's side door and got into the mother’s vehicle, police said.
Ky'air was found safe at the Dayton International Airport several hours later following the kidnapping. Kason was found safe in Indianapolis days later. Jackson was arrested and charged in connection with the kidnapping.
The family released the following statement Sunday evening:
"Tonight we are living a nightmare with the community for a second time in less than a month. I'm questioning God, "Lord why, Ky'air?" None of this seems real!
I'm begging the community again to have some compassion and empathy while lifting up our family, Kason, and his mother Wilhemnia, LaChez, my son and the twins' father in prayer."
This is a developing story. Stay with 10TV for more updates as they become available.