Mother accused of fleeing with child

The child was kidnapped from her grandfather's custody, authorities say.

By MIKE BRASSFIELD

© St. Petersburg Times,
published June 9, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG -- Police are looking for a 21-year-old woman accused of snatching her 1-year-old daughter from the girl's grandfather, who had legal custody of the child.

Katema Sheneka Johnson, 21, lost custody of her daughter, Roshima L. Coffie, on May 24 when a Pinellas County judge issued a court order placing Roshima in the custody of her grandfather.

Roshima was removed from Johnson's household because Johnson had been accused of neglecting her, according to police. Court records do not indicate that Johnson was ever arrested on a charge of child neglect.

On Wednesday, Johnson went to see Roshima at Johnson's father's house at 701 37th Ave. S. There, she snatched the child from the grandfather, police said.

"She said, "I just want to visit my daughter.' Then she grabbed the child and took off running," said St. Petersburg police spokesman George Kajtsa. "There is great concern that, because of her past history with the child, the child is in danger."

Johnson and her daughter remained missing Friday. Once Johnson is found, she will be charged with felony interference with child custody, Kajtsa said.

- Anyone who has information about this case is asked to call St. Petersburg police Det. Pete Venero in the department's Youth Resources Section at 893-4940.

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