Bond Denied for Richland County Woman Accused of Kidnapping Autistic 3-Year-Old
In a shocking incident, a woman from Richland County, South Carolina, has been denied bond on charges of allegedly kidnapping a three-year-old nonverbal autistic boy. The woman in question, 40-year-old Atia Thomas, was arrested on Sunday after investigators teamed up to find the little boy who had wandered off from home. The incident took place in the Richland Terrace Apartments near Broad River Road, Columbia.
Chain of Events
According to reports, Kayden Thompson, the three-year-old child, was reported missing around 2 in the morning after he went missing from his home. Surveillance cameras in a neighboring apartment captured Thomas, holding Kayden, and walking towards the front of the apartment complex. The incident alarmed everyone in the apartment complex and the nearby areas, causing distress and tension among the population. Kayden’s mother, still shaken, expressed her relief at having her son back safe at home.
Cries for Help
One of the neighbors, wishing to remain anonymous, recounted the horrifying episode. She shares the memory of the distressing screams coming from Kayden’s mother when she discovered her son was missing. According to her account, a Richland County Deputy knocked on doors at around 3 in the morning, executing door-to-door investigations after Kayden’s disappearance.
Rapid Response and Rescue
On the horrific night, Kayden’s father awakened to find the apartment door wide open and Kayden absent. A fast-paced search ensued, with investigators on foot and bicycles, and family members joining in. Four painstaking hours later, Kayden’s distinct sounds from nearby led them to discover Atia Thomas, attempting to enter an Uber with Kayden. Thomas was arrested on the spot.
Background Check on the Accused
Upon running a background check on Thomas, it was discovered that she had a previous arrest record. In 2023, she was charged with placing a child at risk unlawfully, and at the time of this kidnapping, she was out on bond for that charge. The investigating authorities are still trying to uncover the motive behind the alleged kidnapping and are also examining if she might be suffering from any mental illness.
Plea for Justice
Commenting on the incident, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott stated, “This is not a family abduction, or a friend abduction, but a stranger abduction.” He assured the public that all possible efforts are being made to find answers to the many questions surrounding the case. The date for Thomas’s next court appearance is awaited. The close-knit community, still in shock, can only pray and hope that justice would be served swiftly.
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
