CRIME BLOTTER

4-year-old girl found safe after Kennewick Amber Alert, suspect still at large

Jul 20, 2026, 6:44 AM

amber alert kennewick girl...

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) located a young child Saturday evening after she went missing from Kennewick, prompting an Amber Alert.

According to the Kennewick Police Department, the child, a four-year-old girl, was taken by 41-year-old Matthew Susmilch from the area of S. Conway Place in Kennewick at approximately 10:45 a.m. Saturday.

Susmilch allegedly assaulted someone at an apartment before taking the child, who is believed to be his child. He was armed, prompting the AMBER Alert. The alert was issued at 6:30 p.m. Saturday and lasted until early Sunday morning. The Kennewick Police Department located the child unharmed in Pasco.

According to the Kennewick Police Department, Susmilch made threats to hurt his daughter. SWAT was called to respond to the initial scene, but the suspect failed to cooperate and fled the scene.

Suspect remains on the loose

Susmilch’s whereabouts are unknown, as of this reporting.

He is currently wanted for first-degree kidnapping, second-degree assault, and threats to kill.

Susmilch has brown hair and brown eyes and was wearing a white tank top and blue jeans, and has recognizable neck and sleeve tattoos. He can be seen in the photo above.

If you see him, call 911. He is considered armed and dangerous.

This is a developing story, check back for updates

Contributing: Frank Sumrall, MyNorthwest

Frank Lenzi is the News Director for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here.

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