Watch CBS News

Father Surrenders After Allegedly Kidnapping Girl, 1 1/2, A Week Ago

UPDATED 06/19/12 8:15 a.m.

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A man has surrendered to police with his 1 1/2-year-old daughter, after police issued an Amber Alert following the girl's alleged kidnapping from the South Side's Grand Crossing neighborhood.

Police in south suburban Markham requested the Amber Alert for the abduction of Tillie Armour, 1 1/2, who was taken from the 7100 block of South Ellis Avenue. Tillie was last seen about one week ago.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Bernie Tafoya reports

Podcast

Police say Tillie's father, Cleophus Cooks, 46, turned himself in at the Wentworth District police station, 5101 S. Wentworth Ave., shortly after 7 a.m. Tuesday.

He had heard on the news that his daughter was the subject of an Amber Alert, and that he was wanted in her apparent kidnapping.

The girl was with him when he walked into the police station. He was taken into custody.

Tillie's mother had waited for a week to report her daughter missing, because she hoped Cooks would "do the right thing," Markham police said.

Police say Cooks had been allowed visitation with Tillie at 3 p.m. June 12, and was supposed to return the girl to her mother at 6 p.m. the same day.

Tillie's mother has since obtained a court order for the immediate return of her daughter, but when she contacted Cooks by phone on Monday, he responded, "F**k a court order" and hung up, police say.

Cooks, 46, had been described as armed and dangerous.

Markham police said Tillie's mother was headed to the Chicago Police station with Markham detectives.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.