CRIME BLOTTER

Amber Alert suspect surrenders after kidnapping 4-year-old daughter in Kennewick

Jul 22, 2026, 7:11 AM

amber alert kennewick kidnap...

Matthew Susmilch in the process of being arrested by the Kennewick Police Department. (Photo courtesy of the Kennewick Police Department)

(Photo courtesy of the Kennewick Police Department)

After a week on the run, Amber Alert suspect Matthew Susmilch has surrendered himself to authorities.

At 4 p.m. Tuesday, Susmilch turned himself in at the Department of Corrections in Kennewick after he was on the run for allegedly kidnapping his 4-year-old daughter. The Washington State Patrol (WSP) located a young child Saturday evening in Pasco after she went missing from Kennewick.

“A Benton County Superior Court Judge authorized the warrant for this investigation, which included the charges of second-degree assault domestic violence with an aggravating circumstances allegation, first-degree kidnapping, and felony harassment – threat to kill,” the Kennewick Police Department stated.

After his surrender, he was booked into Benton County Jail.

“We appreciate the time, effort, and resources area agencies and federal partners dedicated to assisting in this investigation,” the department added.

4-year-old girl found safe after Kennewick 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.

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.

Officers located the child unharmed in Pasco Saturday evening.

Contributing: Frank Lenzi, KIRO Newsradio

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