Woman accused of kidnapping, suffocating boy in Amber Alert issued $4 million in total bonds

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The woman accused of murdering a five-year-old boy faced a judge for the first time since an Ohio Amber Alert triggered a state-wide search eight days ago.

Pammy Maye, formally charged with murder, kidnapping, and endangering children, arrived in Franklin County Jail late Wednesday afternoon. She was extradited from Cuyahoga County Jail, where she had been in custody since Sunday afternoon on a fugitive warrant after an Amber Alert was issued on Feb. 14 for Darnell Taylor.

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Thursday morning the prosecuting attorney said that while Maye has no prior record, she suffers from mental health issues, including bipolar and schizophrenia conditions. The attorney asked for a bond amount of $2 million based on the severity of the crime and potential flight risk as evidenced by the fact that Maye fled Columbus to the Cleveland area.

The judge issued Maye a $3 million bond for the murder charge and an additional $1 million for the kidnapping charge. Maye was also ordered to not have any possession of weapons or firearms, consumption of drugs or alcohol, or contact with any potential witnesses, including by way of mail, email, third-party, or social media.

Maye, 48, is accused of suffocating Taylor, 5, on Feb. 13 at approximately 11 a.m. in their home in the 900 block of Reeb Avenue in the South Side of Columbus.

Court records state that Maye admitted to killing Taylor and disposed of the body in a sewer on the 1600 block of Marsdale Avenue, approximately five miles from their home.

During a 911 call, received at 3 a.m. on Feb. 14, Maye’s husband told operators that his wife said she had killed Taylor. Before the call ended, Maye fled the house.

An Amber Alert was issued at 5:10 a.m., with initial reports believing Maye had abducted Taylor. Her vehicle was recovered hours later in Brooklyn with no sign of her or Taylor.

Brooklyn, Ohio police located Maye southwest of Cleveland on Feb. 15, and she provided the location of Taylor’s body. On Feb. 16 police found Taylor’s body shortly after 1 a.m.

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Taylor was referred to multiple service agencies, including behavioral health at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and case management, according to children’s services, before Maye and her husband became legal guardians of him in May 2023.

Attorneys said they have tried to make contact with Maye’s husband but have yet to get a hold of him.

Maye is next scheduled to appear in court on March 1 for a preliminary hearing.

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