Teen Charged With Kidnapping 2 Children, Shooting Foster Parent

MIAMI, FL — A Miami Gardens teenager was arrested Wednesday in connection with the abduction of two young children and the shooting of their 77-year-old foster parent. Seventeen-year-old Christopher Edwards was taken into custody by Miami-Dade police and the U.S. Marshals Service at his home. Edwards was charged with attempted first-degree murder with a deadly weapon, kidnapping with a firearm and armed burglary.

"He was transported to the Special Victims Bureau where he was charged accordingly and subsequently transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center," explained Detective Alvaro Zabaleta of the Miami-Dade Police Department.

Police earlier charged 34-year-old Candi Nicole Johnson in connection with the early morning incident on Aug. 31 in Southwest Miami-Dade. Johnson was identified by Miami-Dade police as the birth mother of the two children. Police said Johnson does not have custody of the children.

"The subjects arrived at the home and the victim, Ms. Wendy Edmond, answered the front door. The subjects demanded to take the two children from the home," according to Zabaleta. "Ms. Edmond refused to relinquish custody of the children and a struggle ensued between Ms. Edmond and the subjects. The subjects were able to gain entry into the residence and shot Ms. Edmond multiple times."

Zabaleta said that Edwards and Johnson fled with the two children in a white, four-door sedan. The children were described as a one-year-old boy and his five-year-old sister.

"Investigators continued to follow all leads and found the children inside a residence, located at 1193 NW 87 Street, in the company of their biological mother," Zabaleta added. "The children were found safe and are in the custody of the Department of Children and Families."

Edmond was taken to Jackson South Hospital in stable condition for multiple gunshot wounds.

To report a tip, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477) or 866-471-8477. Alternatively, visit www.crimestoppersmiami.com and select “Give a Tip” or text "CSMD" followed by the tip information to 274637.

Christopher Edwards photo courtesy Miami-Dade Police Department