CLEARWATER, Fla. — A domestic battery of two people in Clearwater started a chain of events that included the murder of a woman, a missing 8-year-old daughter, an Amber Alert, and eventually an arrest in Largo.
Clearwater Police said Renato Muhaj, 34, was involved in a domestic dispute around 2:45 a.m. Monday. CPD said Muhaj battered both of his parents and took away their cell phones to prevent them from calling 911 for help.
As Clearwater Police were investigating, they requested a welfare check from Largo Police for Suela Salij, 32, with whom Muhaj shared an 8-year-old child, Alessia.
Largo Police said when officers arrived at the home on the 1700 block of Clearwater Largo Road, they found signs that a crime had occurred. Largo PD said officers entered the apartment and found Salij's body.
However, they couldn't find Alessia, and that prompted Largo Police to request an Amber Alert be issued, which was done Monday morning.
After the alert went out, detectives began looking at cell phone coverage in the area and were able to find a tower where Muhaj's phone was pinging. Largo PD said this gave them a roughly 1-mile area to search.
A Clearwater Police sergeant was looking for the vehicle and found it on the 1600 block of St. Paul's Drive. Largo PD responded and circled the car.
Police made contact with Muhaj, and he and Alessia were both taken into custody by police. Alessia was unharmed during the chain of events and was reunited with family members on Monday.
Largo Police said Muhaj has been charged with murder in the first degree, kidnapping, and child abuse for his actions. Clearwater Police said Muhaj has also been charged with crimes including aggravated assault, tampering with a witness, one count each of felony battery, false imprisonment, and domestic battery.
