UPDATE #1: (Snellville, Ga., Dec. 17, 2024) – Royal Marks has been safely located, and Michelle Marks is now in police custody.

Detectives assigned to this case acted swiftly, pursuing all available leads. During the investigation, they discovered that Michelle Marks had traveled earlier today from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport using an alias. Detectives promptly alerted the LAPD, who successfully located both Michelle Marks and Royal Marks at a location previously associated with Michelle Marks. Detectives would like to thank the Los Angeles Police Department and federal and state agencies for assisting in this case.

ORIGINAL: (Snellville, Ga., Dec. 17, 2024) – The Gwinnett County Police Department is searching for Royal Marks, after he was taken by his mother, Michelle Marks.

On December 17, the police department responded to a 911 call on the 3500 block of Valley Bluff Lane in Snellville in reference to the missing child.  Officers learned that Michelle lost custody of Royal while they were living in Oklahoma last year for child neglect.  Royal was placed by child welfare in the custody of his father in Georgia.  When the police arrived on December 17, they learned from Royal’s father that Michelle had come to Georgia to visit the child. 

During the visit, family members overheard Michelle make several threats to hurt herself if she completely lost custody of Royal.  Michelle allegedly made these threats in response to conversation about a custody hearing that was going to take place in the near future.  According to Royal’s father, Michelle took Royal during the middle of the night after making the threats. 

Investigators have obtained kidnapping warrants for Michelle.  She also has several warrants for her arrest from Oklahoma.  Michelle has used several names with law enforcement in the past, including Michelle Jones, Michelle Legacy, and Michelle Young.  She is approximately 5’03 in height and 140 pounds.  Royal is 7 years old and is approximately 4’11 in height and 90 pounds.  He was last seen wearing a red long sleeve thermal shirt with white lettering and jogging pants.

Gwinnett investigators are working with federal authorities to locate Michelle and Royal.  It is possible that she may try to leave the state with the child.  Michelle does not own a vehicle but may have access to ride-share apps.

If anyone has any information to share in this case, please contact GCPD detectives at 770.513.5300.  To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404.577.TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrimeATL.com.  Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case. 

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