Man faces charges of false imprisonment after Amber Alert

A man believed to have abducted his wife and child Thursday from a Cape Girardeau gas station now faces charges for false imprisonment.

Phillip M. Harris, 23, 509 Bellevue St., Apt. B, is currently in custody of the Missouri State Highway Patrol for further questioning in connection with investigation for kidnapping.

An Amber Alert was issued Friday for Samantha Harris, 22, and Dallis Harris, 1, believed to have been abducted by Phillip Harris at Rhodes Travel Center the day before.

The alert was canceled several hours later when all three were found near Cuba, Mo., and Phillip Harris was taken into custody.

According to a probable-cause statement, Phillip Harris met up with his wife, from whom he was separated, and her mother, at 5 p.m. Thursday at the travel center.

Samantha Harris agreed to give him a ride home to Cape Girardeau in exchange for their 2001 Pontiac Grand Am, and she and Dallis Harris left with him, the statement said.

The following day, Samantha Harris's father received a call from his daughter screaming and crying, saying that Phillip Harris forced her and her son to go to Tulsa, Okla., with him, the statement said.

In the sworn statement, Jessica Martin with the Scott City Police Department said she overheard a recorded phone conversation in which Phillip Harris stated, "I guess I took her against her will."

Bobbi Inskeep, mother of Phillip Harris, said Monday she believes her son was set up and did not abduct anyone.

"He is the victim in this thing," Inskeep said.

Inskeep said her son called her to ask about the Amber Alert after hearing it on the radio.

"I heard her plainly say, 'nobody abducted me,' and start laughing," Inskeep said.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

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