St. Louis, MO – A 1-year-old child at the center of a Sunday night AMBER Alert has been found safe, and St. Louis police now say the reported abduction was fabricated by the child’s mother.
According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the child was never in danger and was never inside the vehicle initially reported stolen. Police said the child’s mother allegedly fabricated the circumstances that prompted the AMBER Alert.
The initial report of an abducted 1-year-old triggered a major response involving officers, investigators, technology and other resources across the St. Louis region.
St. Charles City Police located the vehicle near Highway 370 and North Third Street, but the child was not inside. Detectives with the department’s District 4 and Juvenile Division continued pursuing leads with assistance from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
Police said investigators eventually located the child and confirmed around 2:30 a.m. Monday that the child was safe.
The 25-year-old mother was taken into custody for allegedly knowingly making a false report that triggered an AMBER Alert. Police described the alleged offense as a Class A misdemeanor. Investigators also said the woman had been using drugs and was experiencing substance-use issues.
Authorities said the fabricated report diverted significant resources from legitimate calls and emergencies throughout the city.
Multiple agencies assisted in the response, including the Missouri State Highway Patrol, FBI St. Louis, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, East St. Louis Police Department, St. Charles City Police Department and Granite City Police Department.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department emphasized that while the child was never in danger, the alleged false report had significant consequences.
