Man sought in abduction of daughter

BY AMANDA BLAND World Staff Writer
Monday, May 07, 2012
5/07/12 at 7:28 PM

Tulsa police are seeking a man they believe kidnapped his 2-year-old daughter Sunday.

Venice Lampkins was taken from an apartment complex in the 1000 block of East 61st Street at 10:30 a.m.

The Tulsa Police Department’s Exploitation Unit believes the girl’s father, 32-year-old Justin Lampkins, was her abductor.

Venice was taken from the backseat of her mother’s vehicle when she stopped the car in a Tulsa apartment complex.

Lampkins had apparently been following Venice’s mother, said Sgt. John Adams.

A 1-year-old in the car, who is also Lampkins’ child, was not taken.

Justin Lampkins does not have custody rights of the children, and Venice’s mother Rhea Smith filed a protective order against Lampkins in March 2011. He’s been charged with four misdemeanor counts of violating the order since it was filed, court records show.

Smith alleged in the petition for the order that Lampkins was physically abusive and “threatened to bash (her) face and teeth in (and) has threatened to punch and kick and stab (her) in the stomach to have a miscarriage.”

He’s accused of violating the order by slashing Smith’s tires, sending threatening text messages and harassing her at work and home, according to police affidavits.

Lampkins was arrested in Alamosa, Colo., in August 2008 after an Amber Alert was issued for his daughter Avaya, who was 5 months old at the time, according to Denver TV station KDVR.

Lampkins allegedly slashed Avaya’s mother’s ear, throat and hand with a knife before taking Avaya. Avaya was found unharmed, according to media reports.

He is described in court records as black, 5 feet 7 inches tall and 160 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

He was last seen driving a green Chevrolet S-10 pickup with Creek Nation tag number A1645 and is believed to be in the Tulsa area.

Anyone with information on Venice or Justin Lampkins is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS (2677).

Associated Images:

The Tulsa Police Department Exploitation Unit is actively investigating the abduction of Venice Lampkins, dob: 03-18-10. Venice was abducted by her non-custodial parent Justin Lampkins, dob: 07-29-80. The abduction occurred on Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 10:30 a.m., from 1000 E. 61st Street. The suspect was last seen driving a green, Ford Ranger truck. The vehicle has a Creak Nation tag, unknown number. It is believed that the subject is still in the Tulsa area. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS.