Peoria man accused of kidnapping son, killing child s mother has charges dismissed
By Nicole Garcia , Associated Press and FOX 10 Staff
Published
Officials say charges were dismissed as an act of mercy.
FEB. 22 UPDATE: According to the Maricopa County Coroner s Office, Eric Maes died on Feb. 19. Pending is listed for the manner of death and primary cause of death. Our original story is below.
PEORIA, Ariz. A man
accused of kidnapping his infant son in a custodial dispute that led to the death of the boy’s mother has had his charges dismissed, court documents confirmed on Feb. 18.
According to prosecutors, the suspect, 30-year-old Eric Maes, is now in critical condition and unable to make his own medical decisions. Officials with MCSO tell FOX 10 Maes attempted to commit suicide while in jail on Feb. 13, and is not expected to survive.
A judge on Thursday ordered that Eric Maes, 30, remain jailed in lieu of $2 million bail on suspicion of premeditated first-degree murder, kidnapping in apprehension of injury, endangerment and theft of means of transportation.
Brittany Martie died after she was thrown from her van while trying to protect her child as Eric Maes, her 10-month-old son’s father, drove away with her son inside.