AMBER Alert issued after mother flees with sick infant

08:54 AM Mountain Standard Time on Friday, June 23, 2006

KING5.com

SEATTLE – An AMBER alert is in effect this morning for a gravely ill 9-month-old baby whose mother snatched him from Children's Hospital Thursday morning. According to KING-TV in Seattle, the child's father reportedly lives in Mesa.

KING & KING5.com

Tina Marie Carlsen

Authorities say they are desperately looking for Tina Marie Carlsen, whose 9-month-old son could die from kidney failure if he is not operated on soon.

Seattle Police say Carlsen left the hospital with her son, Riley Rogers, around 6 a.m. Thursday morning just as he was due to have life-saving surgery. His disappearance was discovered by hospital workers about an hour later. Carlsen had allegedly arranged the covers in the child's bed to make it appear that he was still there. The AMBER alert was requested by Seattle Police around 6:50 p.m.

Rogers was scheduled for surgery Thursday to treat kidney failure, according to Carlsen's brother, Randy Carlsen. Carlsen said his sister had lately come to believe that natural remedies should be attempted.

However, Seattle Police say Tina Carlsen does not have legal custody of the child, who is a ward of the state.

"She knew the child was not to leave the hospital, she knew she did not have custodial rights," said Deanna Nollette, Seattle Police.

Carlsen's destination is unknown, but she lives in Puyalllup.

An AMBER Alert is a notification to the general public by media outlets that a confirmed abduction of a child has happened. The description of Carlsen, her car and license number was also placed on readerboards across the state.

Car description
Police believe Tina Carlsen is driving a black oxidized 1987 Jeep Wagoneer station wagon with Washington license plate number 9-9-0-L-F-Z.

Tina Carlsen is 35 years old, has blonde hair, green eyes, is 5-foot-2 tall and weighs 140 pounds.

Riley Rogers is 9 months old, 1-foot-6 tall and weighs 14 pounds. He has blond, curly hair, and was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and diapers.

Anyone with information on Carlsen or Rogers' whereabouts is asked to call 911.