Kidnap suspect hospitalized after suicide attempt
Sun City man accused of killing his son’s mother
The man accused of kidnapping his 10-month-old son and killing the boy’s mother in Peoria was taken to a hospital after trying to take his own life while in jail over the weekend, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff ’s Office.
MCSO officials confirmed 30-yearold Eric Maes, of Sun City, tried to commit suicide while in jail Saturday and was taken to a hospital. Additional information about was not available.
Maes was arrested Wednesday in Phoenix after Peoria police officials say he kidnapped his 10-month-old son, of whom he does not have custody, on Tuesday and killed the boy’s mother,
Brittany Martie, when she grabbed onto the fleeing vehicle and fell off.
The incident generated an Amber Alert, which was later canceled.
What we know about the Peoria kidnapping
According to court documents, Maes showed up at the Peoria home of his sister and brother-in-law, who were babysitting the child for Martie in the area of 91st Avenue and Deer Valley Road.
Martie was loading the baby into a minivan when Peoria police say Maes jumped into the driver’s seat and drove off with the child inside. Witnesses told police they saw Martie grab onto the minivan and hold on.
As Maes was driving,
Martie was thrown off. She was taken to a hospital where she died.
The child was later found safe in a Phoenix neighborhood, and Maes was found and arrested in the area of 23rd Avenue and Thunderbird Road. He’s facing charges of first-degree premeditated murder, endangerment, theft of a means of transportation and kidnapping.
Martie’s family created a GoFundMe for a memorial and legal fees that added up to $30,000. They had raised more than $8,700 as of Monday.
Services for Arizonans in crisis
If you are in crisis or know someone who is, there are services available to help:
Dial 2-1-1 to reach 211 Arizona. The same number will connect callers to Resilient Arizona Crisis Counseling Program.
The National Suicide Prevention Line is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255 in English and 1-888-628-9454 in Spanish. It’s free and confidential for those in distress who need prevention or crisis resources for themselves or loved ones.
La Frontera Empact Suicide Prevention Center’s crisis line serves Maricopa and Pinal counties 24/7 at 480784-1500.
Arizona Coalition to End Sexual & Domestic Violence at 602-279-2980. Text 911 if you cannot speak.
Teen Lifeline’s 24/7 crisis line serves teens at 602-248-8336 for Maricopa County and 1-800-248-8336 statewide.
The Trevor Project Lifeline serves LGBTQ youth at 866-488-7386.