3-week-old, mother found safe after abduction in Columbia Heights triggers AMBER alert

Ashley Gooch allegedly threatened the infant’s guardian before fleeing on foot with a stroller Wednesday morning, police say.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
August 6, 2025 at 10:36PM
Ashley Marie Gooch, left, and Dior Gooch, right. (Provided by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.)

A 3-week-old girl is safe after she was abducted Wednesday morning by her mother from her guardian’s Columbia Heights home, triggering an AMBER Alert.

Dior Gooch was taken Wednesday morning by 37-year-old Ashley Marie Gooch, who allegedly threatened violence toward the guardian, according to the Columbia Heights Police Department. By 5:30 p.m. Monday the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension reported that the two “have been located safe.”

Paul Walsh of the Minnesota Star Tribune contributed to this report.

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Sofia Barnett

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Sofia Barnett is an intern for the Minnesota Star Tribune.

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Jenny Berg/The Minnesota Star Tribune

The victim and suspect were in a relationship, police said.

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