On November 8, 2025, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) was notified of a suspected custody violation of a court order involving a toddler. The reporting party advised deputies they had been granted full custody of the child; however, the child’s mother, 30-year-old Aleyha Murphy, refused to comply with the court order and return the child.
During the initial investigation, deputies were unable to locate Murphy or the child. As a result of the alleged court order violation, deputies obtained an arrest warrant for Murphy. Deputies with the Patrol Division and Civil Unit made several attempts to locate her but were unsuccessful.
On August 22, 2026, the Colorado Springs Police Department located and arrested Murphy. She was booked into the El Paso County Jail for Violating a Custody Order. She was subsequently released on a $2,000 bond, as determined by state statute. The toddler was not located.
On September 9, 2026, detectives executed a search warrant at Murphy’s residence on Rubicon Drive in unincorporated El Paso County. Evidence recovered during the search identified an address of interest in Aurora, Colorado, associated with the child’s grandfather, 54-year-old David McGhee.
EPSO detectives contacted the Aurora Police Department’s Fugitives and Narcotics Unit, which provided investigative assistance and helped confirm the child was located in the 14000 block of Olmstead Drive in Denver, Colorado.
Recognizing the urgency of recovering the toddler, the Aurora Police Department coordinated with Denver Metro SWAT to assist with executing the arrest warrant. On October 8, 2026, law enforcement arrested McGhee and located the missing child. Medical personnel evaluated the child before the child was safely returned to the custodial parent without incident.
McGhee was booked into the El Paso County Jail for the following charges:
- Second-Degree Kidnapping
- Attempt to Influence a Public Servant
- Harboring a Minor
He was released on October 9, 2026, on a $3,000 bond, as determined by state statute.
Sheriff Roybal stated:
“I want to thank our detectives for their diligence, persistence, and commitment throughout this investigation to ensure the child was safely found and reunited with their custodial parent. I also want to extend my sincere appreciation to the Aurora Police Department, Denver Metro SWAT, and all our partner agencies who provided invaluable assistance and resources. Their collaboration and dedication were instrumental in bringing this case to a safe resolution and ensuring the child’s well-being.”
This remains an active investigation.
