Man Behind PA Amber Alert Kidnapped Son, Killed Ex: Officials

PENNSYLVANIA — A father has been arrested and charged with kidnapping, and is also suspected of killing his son's mother after a statewide Amber Alert was issued across Pennsylvania on Friday.

Police forced their way into a Tennessee hotel early Saturday to arrest Tyler Rios, who police say abducted his 2-year-old son from New Jersey, setting off a multi-state Amber Alert. Rios later led authorities to the location of the body of the boy's mother, 24-year-old Yasemin Uyar.

Rios is charged with first-degree kidnapping in connection with the alleged abduction of his son, Sebastian Rios. Authorities said additional criminal charges are pending in connection with the death of Uyar.

The race to find the mother and son began Friday when Sebastian Rios did not show up for daycare and Uyar did not arrive for work, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Robert Grady.

Rahway Police checked Uyar’s home, but no one was found inside. As a result, an Amber Alert was issued.

On Saturday at about 3 a.m., the Putnam County Sheriff's Office in Tennesee got a call from the Union County Prosecutor's Office in New Jersey about the alleged abduction. Rios was reportedly driving a silver 2018 Ford Fiesta.

At about 3:15 a.m., Monterey Police Officers, along with Putnam County Deputies, found the silver Ford Fiesta at the parking lot of the Bethel Inn Hotel located near I-40 just off exit 301 in Monterey, Tennessee, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said.

Police said they tried to convince Rios to give up and leave his room but he refused to do so. Police subsequently entered the hotel room by force, taking Rios into custody, the sheriff's office said.

The toddler was also inside the room, unharmed. He was immediately taken by police and placed in a safe location, according to authorities.

Rios later led investigators to a wooded area in Putnam County, Tennessee, where the dead body of Uyar was found, authorities said.

Rios is currently being held in Tennessee without bond pending extradition back to New Jersey, after which a first appearance and detention hearing will take place in Union County Superior Court.

Further charges are expected from the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, which could possibly include murder homicide and kidnapping. The FBI is also actively involved in the investigation as well.

"I am very pleased with the professionalism of Putnam Sheriff Deputies, Monterey Police Officers and the cooperation with other agencies involved. I am thankful for the wellbeing and unharmed two-year-old. I would also like to express my sadness regarding the death of Yasemin Uyar and condolences to her family and friends," said Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris.

Uyar's mother, Karen, has been public about her daughter's domestic violence troubles but reiterated that she is not just a victim.

"While my family grieves the loss of Yasemin please remember she wasn't just a [domestic violence] victim. She was a Daughter, Sister, Mother, Aunt and Cousin. Her life will be Celebrated as her greatest gift to this world, Sebastian will still need ALL of our love and support," Karen Uyar said via social media.

Anyone with information about the case is still urged to contact Prosecutor’s Office Lt. Johnny Ho at 908-403-8271 or Detective Richard Acosta at 908-347-0404.

With reporting by Alexis Tarrazi