Two Behind Bars for Kidnapping Earlimart Children 

December 17, 2024 – Tulare County Sheriff’s Office officials report that at around 12:30 a.m. December 16, 2024, TCSO Deputies were called to a kidnapping in the 800 Block of Market Street in Earlimart. 

When Deputies arrived, the children’s guardian told them that her sister, who is the biological mother of the kids, and three other adults walked into her home, assaulted her and took her five-year-old son and six-year-old daughter. 

TCSO Detectives were called to the scene and took over the investigation. 

An Amber Alert was issued. The suspect, 29-year-old Makenzie Morelli, contacted law enforcement and agreed to deliver the kids to law enforcement. The children were not hurt and later released to family members. Detectives arrested Morelli and 57-year-old David Steen. They both face charges of kidnapping, parental abduction and burglary. Detectives are still looking for two more possible suspects. 

Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to contact Detective M. Ruelas or Detective C. Sailer or Sgt. J. Nicholson at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at 559-733-6218, or anonymously at tcso@tipnow.com or by text or voicemail at 559-725-4194.

Source & photos: Tulare County Sheriff’s Office