Update, July 15, 12:20 p.m. Berkeley police sent out a Nixle alert at 12:05 p.m. Saturday saying the “parental abduction investigation [was] safely resolved.” Pittsburg police took 34-year-old Laquita Davis into custody prior to 11:30 a.m., and her 5-year-old daughter is fine, authorities said. (The girl’s name was spelled both “Malayia” and “Mayalyia” and police were unable to clarify to Berkeleyside which one was correct.)
“We appreciate the support of our aware and engaged community as well [as] the assistance provided by the Pittsburg Police Department,” said BPD.
Original story, July 14, 5:12 p.m. The Berkeley Police Department is looking for a 5-year-old girl taken Friday by her mother, who has “diminished capacity,” authorities report.
The little girl, Mayalyia Booker, was taken from the 1500 block of Prince Street on Friday at about 3:15 p.m., police said in a statement shortly before 5 p.m.
Mayalyia, who is black, is 3 feet 6 to 4 feet tall with brown hair and brown eyes, and has short hair in twists. She was last seen wearing a black shirt, black pants and gray tennis shoes, police said.
Authorities say Booker was last seen with her mother, Laquita Davis, who is 34 years old. Davis, who is also black, is 5 feet 8, 172 pounds, and has brown hair and brown eyes. She has two braids and was wearing a black jacket and blue jeans.
Family members described Davis’ mental capacity to police as “diminished,” authorities said.
Police ask anyone with information to help safely locate Mayalyia to call 911 or 510-981-5900.
This story was updated after publication to include photographs released shortly before 6 p.m. by BPD.
