Detroit: A Mother’s Heart-wrenching Story of Kidnapping and Justice
In the bustling city of Detroit, Jazlyn Morgan’s life took an unimaginable turn when her one-year-old twins were kidnapped from a Livonia hotel. It was a day that no mother should ever have to experience. Just 14 days after giving birth, Jazlyn found herself in a nightmare that lasted for 12 harrowing hours—wondering if her babies were safe and where they could possibly be.
The Kidnapping Incident
Fast forward nearly 15 months, and Jazlyn reflects back on that fateful day. The twins are now walking and healthy, filling her days with joy and laughter. But the scars of that trauma remain. The woman who orchestrated their kidnapping, Shantell Jones, pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping and was sentenced in Wayne Circuit Court to a prison term of seven to twenty years. It’s hard for any mother to forgive when someone tries to take away what is most precious to her.
During a recent impact statement in court, Jazlyn didn’t hold back her emotions. “Having my sons taken is every mother’s worst nightmare,” she shared, her voice filled with turmoil. She expressed a wish for a harsher sentence, reflecting on the long-lasting impact of the crime on her family. “You opened a door of friendship, took me at my most low moment, used me, and betrayed me,” she said, highlighting the deep pain of feeling deceived by someone she once trusted.
A Disturbing Friendship
Jazlyn revealed that her connection with Jones began just before her pregnancy, when Jones had befriended her under the pretense of offering assistance. It was only a brief moment of detachment—Jazlyn left her hotel room to grab a soft drink from a nearby vending machine when Jones took the opportunity to snatch her twins right from the room. Along with the babies, they also took Jazlyn’s phone and tablet, leaving her in a state of panic that only a mother could understand.
Jones pulled in others to help her execute the kidnapping, including Curtis Slay, Davion Sherman Chandler, and a 16-year-old girl. Although Jones was found guilty, the others also faced their own sentences for their roles in this crime. Slay and Sherman Chandler received three to fifteen years in prison back in May, while the young girl’s case is still in the juvenile courts.
A Note of Contrition
As Jones stood before the judge, she expressed remorse for her actions. “I just want to say I apologize for my actions,” she stated. Judge Anne Marie McCarthy acknowledged the severity of what had happened, labeling Jones’ actions as “quite disturbing.” In her assessment, the judge remarked that there’s nothing worse for a parent than having their children taken away, showing a clear understanding of Jazlyn’s pain.
Reflecting on the day of the kidnapping, parts of the story unfolded like a puzzle as Jazlyn’s family grappled with every emotion imaginable. Before the Amber Alert went out, Jones had even told her then-girlfriend, Nieja Petty, that she had given birth to the twins the same day they were abducted. This claim kicked off a chain of events that revealed the truth when Petty saw a public alert about the missing children the next morning.
A Resounding Connection
Jones’ own mother, upon discovering the gravitas of the situation, acted swiftly. She demanded that her daughter return the children immediately. Family members mobilized in the community, culminating in the shocking realization that the twins were finally safe.
As Jazlyn Morgan continues her journey of motherhood with her healthy toddlers, she remains a poignant reminder of the strength that can arise from despair. The courtroom was a steppingstone on a path toward healing, where victims and justice connected in a community that rallies together in the face of darkness. A mother’s love always prevails, but it’s the changes in the law and society that help to ensure such horrors don’t repeat themselves. What a journey it continues to be in the heart of Detroit.
