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Written by: A. Smith
Published January 2, 2026 @ 9:30 AM ET
FLOYD COUNTY, Ga. – A 23-year-old man was arrested early New Year’s Day after police said he kidnapped a 5-month-old infant from a Rome hotel, prompting a brief but urgent public search that ended with the child’s safe recovery.
The Rome Police Department said officers took Julion Mazzo into custody about two hours after issuing a social media alert seeking help locating a noncustodial father and the infant boy. Police said the child was taken around 4:40 a.m. from the Oyo Hotel in Rome.
Just after 5 a.m., police shared photos of the infant, Mazzo, and the vehicle believed to be involved, asking the public to be on the lookout. At about 6:20 a.m., authorities announced that Mazzo was in custody and that the child was in the process of being reunited with his mother.
According to the Floyd County Jail, Mazzo was booked on a kidnapping charge and was being held without bond as of Thursday afternoon.
Police have not released the location where Mazzo was arrested or said whether he surrendered voluntarily. Investigators also have not disclosed whether the infant required medical evaluation after the incident.
Authorities declined to comment on whether Mazzo was armed at the time of the alleged abduction or whether anyone else may face charges for assisting him. Police said the investigation is ongoing and that a motive has not yet been determined.