Executive Summary
- Duwayne Morgan was arrested and two children were recovered safe following an Albuquerque Amber Alert.
- A third child was hospitalized with a broken collarbone after attempting to stop the abduction.
- Police utilized cellphone pinging technology to track the suspect to a nearby residence.
- Morgan faces charges of kidnapping, child abuse, and battery on a household member.
Albuquerque police arrested 23-year-old Duwayne Morgan and safely recovered two children on Saturday morning, cancelling an Amber Alert issued after a violent domestic incident that left a third child hospitalized.
According to the arrest affidavit, officers responded to a disturbance at a northeast Albuquerque apartment around 2 a.m. The victim, identified as Morgan’s ex-girlfriend, told police that Morgan arrived at her home highly intoxicated. After an argument escalated, the woman pepper-sprayed Morgan in self-defense. Police allege that as the woman attempted to leave the premises with her three children, Morgan attacked her, pulling clumps of hair from her head and dragging her outside.
The criminal complaint states that Morgan forced two of the children into the victim’s vehicle. Witnesses told police that a third child jumped onto the hood of the car in an attempt to stop Morgan from leaving but was thrown off as the vehicle sped away. Doctors at the University of New Mexico Hospital reported that the child sustained a broken collarbone and required surgery. Authorities issued an Amber Alert at approximately 6 a.m. to solicit public assistance.
Investigators located the stolen vehicle abandoned a short distance away and utilized cellphone pinging technology to track Morgan to a nearby residence. Despite an initial attempt by another woman at the scene to conceal Morgan’s presence, officers confirmed he was inside and executed the arrest without incident. Morgan faces multiple charges, including two counts of kidnapping, three counts of child abuse, and battery on a household member. Court records indicate he was on probation for a previous confrontation with law enforcement at the time of his arrest.
Investigative Outlook and Legal Context
This incident highlights the volatility of domestic violence situations and the critical role of electronic surveillance in rapidly recovering abducted minors. The involvement of a serious injury to a child during the commission of a felony likely elevates the severity of the case under New Mexico state law. As the investigation transitions to the judicial phase, the suspect’s alleged violation of existing probation terms will likely play a pivotal role in bail determinations. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
