Mom Sought In Possible Kidnapping Of Son, 7, In Snellville

SNELLVILLE, GA — Police are searching for a missing 7-year-old boy who may have been taken by his mother, who police say is being charged with kidnapping.

Gwinnett County Police said officers responded Tuesday to the 3500 block of Valley Bluff Lane in Snellville. Police have identified the missing boy as Royal Marks.

According to police, mom Michelle Marks lost custody of her son last year in Oklahoma after being accused of child neglect. Royal's father, who lives in Georgia, took custody of the child, police said.

Michelle Marks was visiting the child at the time of his disappearance, police said.

During the visit, she was accused of threatening to harm herself multiple times if she were to lose full custody of Royal. Police said the threats were made during a conversation about a future custody hearing.

Royal's father alleged to officers that Michelle Marks "took Royal during the middle of the night after making the threats," police said.

Kidnapping warrants have been taken out against Michelle Marks, police said, adding several Oklahoma warrants have also been taken out against her for unknown reasons.

Police accused Michelle Marks of possibly attempting to flee Georgia with Royal. Local investigators are working with federal authorities to find the mother-son duo, police said.

Royal was described as a boy weighing 90 pounds and is about 4-feet-11-inches tall. Police said he was last seen wearing a red long-sleeved thermal shirt with white letters and jogging pants.

Michelle Marks is about 140 pounds and is 5-feet-3-inches tall, police said. She has been known to use other names with authorities, such as Michelle Jones, Michelle Legacy and Michelle Young, police said.

She does not have a car, but police said she could access ride-share apps.

Police asked anyone with information to call detectives at (770)513-5300. Anonymous tipsters can call Crime Stoppers Atlanta at (404) 577-8477.

Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case, police said.