A violent domestic incident in Virginia Beach, Virginia, led to the death of a 16-month-old girl and the hospitalization of her two brothers after their father abducted them during a domestic dispute. The incident culminated in a fatal crash following a police chase across state lines.
On the night of August 14, 2024, Virginia Beach Police responded to a home on Jay Are Court after receiving reports of a stabbing. Officers found a woman and her 12-year-old daughter suffering from severe stab wounds. Both were taken to the hospital and reported to be stable. Police identified the suspect as 36-year-old Dana Plummer, the woman’s ex-husband, and the girl’s stepfather.
Plummer fled the scene with his three children: Zayin, 7, Zayir, 5, and 16-month-old Za’riyah. The authorities issued an Amber Alert, stating that the children were believed to be in extreme danger. Plummer was driving a black 2024 Honda Passport SUV.
Early the following day, a citizen recognized the vehicle described in the Amber Alert and contacted law enforcement. Virginia State Police attempted to stop Plummer on Interstate 95 in Fairfax County, Virginia, but he refused to pull over, leading to a high-speed chase into Maryland.
Plummer lost control of his vehicle on Interstate 495 in Prince George’s County, Maryland, crashing into two other vehicles before overturning. Za’riyah was critically injured and flown to a hospital in Washington, D.C., where she was pronounced dead. Her two brothers were also hospitalized but were reported to be in stable condition. No other drivers were injured in the crash.
Plummer, who also sustained injuries in the crash, was arrested at the scene and transported to the hospital. He faces multiple charges in Virginia, including two counts of aggravated malicious wounding, three counts of parental abduction, and domestic assault. Authorities in Maryland are considering additional charges related to the crash.
Court records reveal that Plummer had a history of mental health issues, including signs of paranoid schizophrenia. Earlier in 2024, he surrendered several firearms to authorities after an incident in which he believed he was being followed and that his phone and computer had been hacked.
Plummer was administratively separated from the Navy just two weeks before the incident. Despite his mental health challenges, he shared custody of his children with his ex-wife.
The investigation into the abduction and subsequent crash is ongoing, with authorities in Virginia and Maryland working to determine the full extent of the charges Plummer will face.