El Paso County, Colorado – A toddler who vanished amid a custody‑order dispute was safely recovered on Oct. 8, 2026, following a coordinated effort by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, Aurora Police Department and Denver Metro SWAT.
Investigation timeline
The case began on Nov. 8, 2025, when deputies were alerted that the child’s mother, 30‑year‑old Aleyha Murphy, had allegedly refused to return the toddler to the custodial parent as ordered by the court. Murphy could not be located, and an arrest warrant was issued.
On Aug. 22, 2026, Colorado Springs police located and arrested Murphy, booking her on suspicion of violating a custody order. She was released on a $2,000 bond, but the child remained missing.
Detectives obtained a search warrant for Murphy’s residence on Rubicon Drive in unincorporated El Paso County on Sept. 9. Evidence gathered pointed investigators to an address in Aurora linked to the child’s grandfather, 54‑year‑old David McGhee.
Rescue operation
El Paso County detectives enlisted Aurora Police’s Fugitives and Narcotics Unit for assistance. The joint teams confirmed the toddler’s location in the 14,000 block of Olmstead Drive in Denver.
On Oct. 8, Aurora Police coordinated with Denver Metro SWAT to execute the arrest warrant. McGhee was taken into custody, and the toddler was found unharmed. Medical personnel evaluated the child before returning the youngster to the custodial parent.
Legal outcomes
McGhee was booked into the El Paso County Jail on charges of second‑degree kidnapping, attempting to influence a public servant and harboring a minor. He was released on Oct. 9 on a $3,000 bond.
The case underscores the importance of inter‑agency cooperation in protecting children and enforcing court‑ordered custody arrangements.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
