Child abducted from Macomb home found in Chicago, but law enforcement still looking for kidnapper

MACOMB, Ill. — A man who allegedly kidnapped a child from Macomb is being sought by law enforcement, but the child has safely been returned home.

The Macomb Police Department responded on March 26 to a report of a kidnapping from the 400 block of N. Charles. During the investigation, it was determined a mother’s 3-year-old child was taken by an ex-boyfriend, later identified as Jamil A. Purnell, who is not the biological father of the child. 

Purnell entered the residence without the mother’s consent, took the child and fled the area. Once the suspect’s vehicle information was obtained, Macomb Police personnel, with the assistance of the Illinois State Police Troop 4, tracked the vehicle through the Flock Advanced License Plate Reader system. 

The vehicle had passed through Fulton County and traveled to Chicago. Illinois State Police Troop 3 and the Chicago Police Department assisted in locating and recovering the child from a residence in Chicago. Purnell fled the scene and is evading capture. An arrest warrant for Purnell is being requested through the McDonough County State’s Attorney Office for aggravated kidnapping, battery, home invasion, and criminal trespass to residence.

The child is now safe with family after being examined at a Chicago-area hospital.