Amber Alert suspect admitted smoking meth

Woman accused of abducting 3-year-old girl in Avondale, Arizona

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A 23-year-old woman named Marina Noriega was arrested in connection with an Amber Alert for a 2-year-old girl in Avondale, Arizona. Noriega allegedly admitted to smoking methamphetamine and sleeping on the street overnight with the child before being apprehended by police in Phoenix.

Why it matters

The case highlights the dangers of drug use and the vulnerability of children when they are taken from their families. It also raises questions about the screening process for allowing strangers into homes and the need for better support systems to prevent homelessness and substance abuse.

The details

According to court documents, Noriega was a transient woman that the family of the 2-year-old girl, Kehlani Rogers, had taken in to help. On Saturday morning, the family reported Noriega and the child missing. An Amber Alert was issued, and authorities tracked them to a gas station in Phoenix where Noriega was taken into custody. Noriega allegedly admitted to smoking meth and sleeping on the street with the child overnight. She was booked on one count of custodial interference and will undergo drug testing if released on bail.

  • On Saturday, February 21, the family reported Noriega and the child missing around 8 a.m.
  • The Amber Alert was activated that same afternoon.
  • Around 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 22, a tip led police to a QuikTrip gas station in Phoenix where they arrested Noriega.

The players

Marina Noriega

A 23-year-old woman who was arrested and accused of abducting a 2-year-old girl. Noriega allegedly admitted to smoking meth and sleeping on the street with the child.

Kehlani Rogers

The 2-year-old girl who was the subject of the Amber Alert after being taken from her home in Avondale, Arizona.

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What they’re saying

“She admitted to … smoking methamphetamine the day before, and that was during the time she had control of the child.”

— Stephen Garcia, Maricopa County Attorney's Office (ktar.com)

What’s next

Noriega's bond was set at $250,000, and she has court hearings scheduled for March 2 and 4. She will have to undergo drug testing if released on bail while awaiting trial.

The takeaway

This case highlights the urgent need for better support systems to address homelessness, substance abuse, and the protection of vulnerable children. It underscores the importance of thorough vetting processes when allowing strangers into homes, as well as the dangers posed by drug use in the presence of minors.