Charges filed against Salt Lake mom who sparked Amber Alert

A Salt Lake woman faces criminal charges accusing her of sparking an Amber Alert in 2021 after taking her infant child, even though she did not have legal custody of him. (Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)

Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes

SALT LAKE CITY — Criminal charges have been filed against a Salt Lake mother who sparked an Amber Alert more than a year ago after allegedly taking her infant child, for whom she had no custodial rights.

Maria Ann Torres, 38, was charged last week in 3rd District Court with child kidnapping, a first-degree felony; and obstructing justice, a second-degree felony. Additionally, Amanda Elizabeth Sorensen, 40, of Ogden, was charged with obstructing justice, a second-degree felony.

Torres’ son, whom police called “Baby Torres,” was born in a Salt Lake hospital in December of 2020. On Dec. 22, the Division of Child and Family Services attempted to serve a warrant on Torres and take the infant boy into state custody. Torres pushed the case worker out of the way and left the hospital with the newborn, according to charging documents.

On Jan. 5, 2021, a court hearing was held in which temporary custody and legal guardianship was awarded to the state, the charges state. Torres failed to appear for the hearing and an Amber Alert was issued the next day.

Later in the day on Jan. 6, 2021, police received a tip that Torres was at a home in Salt Lake City. When officers arrived, they were met by Sorensen at the door.

Sorensen claimed there was not a baby in the house, even though “officers could see Torres and the newborn in the basement of the house through a window,” according to the charges. Sorensen was told to tell Torres to come to the door and when Sorensen returned, she told police to get a warrant, the charges state.

“Torres was told to turn herself in and she refused,” the charges allege.

When police entered the home, Sorensen attempted to block them by refusing to move, according to the charges.

The boy was found safe in the basement.

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Pat Reavy is a police and courts reporter at KSL.com.

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