Update: Kidnapped 7-year-old located safe in LA; mother in custody

 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.

 Update: Gwinnett County Police Department report that 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 (yesterday) 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,” GCPD said in the updated press release.

(Snellville, Ga., Dec. 17, 2024) – The Gwinnett County Police Department is searching for Royal Marks, 7, after he was allegedly taken by his mother, Michelle Marks.

According to a press release from GCPD, on Dec. 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.  The mother lost custody of Royal last year while they were living in Oklahoma for child neglect.  He was placed by child welfare in the custody of his father in Georgia.  Police learned from Royal’s father that Marks had come to Georgia to visit the child. 

During the visit, family members reportedly overheard Marks make several threats to hurt herself if she completely lost custody of her son.  She 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.  

GCPD report that investigators have obtained kidnapping warrants for Marks.  She also has several warrants for her arrest from Oklahoma.  She has used several names with law enforcement in the past, including Michelle Jones, Michelle Legacy, and Michelle Young.  She is about 5’03 in height and 140 pounds.  Royal is 7 years old and is about 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 Marks and the child.  It is possible that she may try to leave the state with the child. She does not own a vehicle but may have access to ride-share apps.

If anyone has any information to share in this case, they are asked to 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.