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Abduction of 2 Indianapolis teens was tied to drugs, police say

Jill Disis, Justin L. Mack, Michael Anthony Adams and Madeline Buckley.

Two Indianapolis teenagers who were kidnapped at gunpoint were targeted in connection with drug activity, police said Tuesday.

Aaron Blackwell, 16, and his sister, Emma Blackwell, 13, were abducted from their home in the 1200 block of Lasalle Street sometime after 3 a.m. Monday, officials with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police said.

The two teenagers were found unharmed later on Monday after an Amber Alert broadcasted that the children were believed to be in "extreme danger."

Police in Detroit found Aaron Blackwell and arrested "several" suspects in connection with the kidnapping, said Special Agent David Porter of the FBI's Detroit unit. Emma Blackwell was found at her home on LaSalle Street.

Porter declined to name those arrested, say how many suspects police arrested or say on what charges the suspects are held.

Detectives believe the incident was drug-related, an IMPD news release said.

IMPD has not released more details about the abduction or the children's rescue. It is unclear how Emma Blackwell arrived back home.

The two teens have been temporarily placed under the care of Child Protective Services in Indianapolis until detectives can determine they are no longer in any danger, police said.

The children's father, Isaac Pernell, told The Indianapolis Star on Monday that he believed they were taken in exchange for a lot of money.

Detectives ask anyone with information about the kidnapping to call to call Crime Stoppers at (317) 262-TIPS.


Original story:

Two children believed to have been abducted at gunpoint from an Indianapolis home early Monday morning are believed to be in "extreme danger."

An Amber Alert was issued Monday for Aaron Blackwell, 16, and his sister, Emma Blackwell, 13. The siblings were last seen at 3 a.m. at a home in the 1200 block of Lasalle Street.

Police responding to a 911 call were told that the children were abducted at gunpoint by three men, according to an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department news bulletin. They were described as driving a black Cadillac Escalade and a black Dodge Charger.

The children were believed to be in "extreme danger," IMPD said.

While the motive for the abduction "has not been determined," police said, investigators do not think it was a random act.

Police said the children's mother is cooperating with the investigation.

The father, Isaac Pernell, arrived on foot at the Lasalle Street home Monday afternoon. He paced back and forth along the ice and snow before briefly speaking with reporters.

"I just want my babies back," Pernell said. He said he thinks his children are being held in exchange for a large sum of money. Pernell declined to comment on who he believes is holding his children captive.

"Everybody cut out. Everybody is scared," he said of the empty home. "This ain't about making no news. This is about getting my kids back."

Pernell said he learned of the abduction from a friend about 4 a.m. He said that he never thought the children would still be missing more than 12 hours later.

"I figured they would bring them back," Pernell said. "I figured we would have the kids back by now."

As he stood outside the home, he placed a call to who he said was his oldest son.

"I know you're upset," Pernell said into his cellphone. A voice on the other end could be heard screaming into the receiver.

Pernell later left, without elaborating further on the situation.

Tasha Craig, a resident who lives in the neighborhood, said she has been following the case since the Amber Alert was issued.

A mother of four, Craig decided to drive to the bus stop and pick up her children after the news broke. She then spent some time Monday afternoon driving around the neighborhood and doing her part to help with the search.

"A lot of people here are very concerned," she said. "I'm just hoping that the kids are safe."

Aaron is 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighs 180 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black bathrobe.

Emma is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing pink-and-white pajamas.

If you have any information on these children, police ask that you call IMPD at 1-888-58AMBER or 1-888-582-6237.

Aaron Blackwell, 16, and his sister, Emma Blackwell, 13, were last seen at 3 a.m. at this house, 1215 Lasalle St. An Amber Alert was issued for the children Monday.

Call Star reporter Jill Disis at (317) 444-6137. Follow her on Twitter: @jdisis.