A Columbia woman was arraigned Friday in Lafayette County Circuit Court on charges of kidnapping and resisting arrest.

24-year-old Joy Ariel Smith was arrested Thursday, Dec. 18 near Higginsville on Interstate 70, after she was identified as a suspect in an Amber Alert. According to a probable cause statement, the Missouri State Highway Patrol issued the Amber Alert after a vehicle containing children ages three and one was reported stolen from Columbia. The vehicle was spotted heading west on Interstate 70 near the 52-mile marker shortly after the patrol issued their alert. Troopers gave chase, but the vehicle stopped near the Higginsville junction to avoid running over spike strips. Troopers say they identified Smith as the driver and took her into custody. The two children in the vehicle were unharmed.

Smith is facing two charges of kidnapping a child and one count of resisting arrest. She remains held without bond in the Lafayette County Jail. Her next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 15.