MADISON, Ga. --- A 13-hour hostage standoff at a Georgia motel ended peacefully Monday when a former South Carolina police officer and a teenage girl surrendered, freeing his estranged wife and infant son.
FBI spokesman Steve Lazarus said 25-year-old David Dietz surrendered about 9:15 a.m. at the Red Roof Inn off Interstate 20 about 60 miles east of Atlanta. Jamie Lynn Burgess, 17, was also taken into custody at the time.
The two had been holed up in a second floor room with the infant, Allim David Dietz, and Mr. Dietz's estranged wife, 29-year-old Eva Arce-Perez. Two shots were fired at law enforcement agents from the room Sunday night.
The next morning, Mr. Dietz stepped onto the walkway outside the motel room holding the baby in his arms as he surrendered. Ms. Burgess exited the room with her hands in the air.
Ms. Burgess helped in the kidnapping, West Columbia, S.C., Police Maj. Jackie Brothers said.
"It's our understanding they arrived together, they waited together and when the family and friends arrived home, she actively participated in the abduction," Maj. Brothers said.
Police said Ms. Burgess and Mr. Dietz were acquaintances but wouldn't elaborate.
Ms. Burgess was set to return to South Carolina Monday night, where she would be charged with kidnapping, carjacking and assault with intent to kill, Maj. Brothers said. She won't face federal charges because she's a minor, Mr. Lazarus said.
Mr. Dietz, who wore a black uniform emblazoned with the word "police" during the abduction, was held in federal custody in Macon and would face federal charges of kidnapping in South Carolina and federal charges of assaulting a federal officer in Georgia, Mr. Lazarus said. He said they hoped to bring Mr. Dietz before a federal magistrate today.
He also faces state charges including kidnapping, assault with intent to kill and carjacking in South Carolina and five counts of aggravated assault in Georgia, authorities said.
Police said Ms. Arce-Perez and the baby were abducted Saturday night from their home in Columbia. A missing child alert was issued, and authorities learned Mr. Dietz might be headed toward Atlanta.
The standoff started Sunday after Georgia State Patrol officers spotted the car mentioned in the alert in the motel parking lot.
Columbia police spokesman Brick Lewis said Mr. Dietz was hired in June 2006 but resigned that October without giving a reason and on good terms.
Mr. Dietz also worked as a probation officer until August 2007, said Pete O'Boyle, a spokesman for the probation department.
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Police save another child. I expect there will be a parade supporting these heroes down 15th street today organized by the NBP party. Celebratory gunfire and all the trimmings.
Sometimes you have to let some things go. Ushouldnthave, by leaving comments like those, you sound just as ignorant as those you are trying to mock. Law enforcement officers deserve respect at all times. You are using this as a way to keep stirring up mess, and it is starting to stink. Give it a rest.