Missing Baby From Morris Area Has Been Found: Sheriff

MORRIS — At 3 p.m. Thursday, the Grundy County Sheriff issued an updated press release revealing that detectives had located little Silas and had him in their custody.

"We appreciate the assistance from the public. The child will be turned over to the father and the investigation into the incident will continue," the agency posted.

Hours earlier, Grundy County issued a press release regarding the disappearance of 34-year-old Emily Johnson and her 3-month-old baby boy, Silas Iennarella.

According to the sheriff's agency, at around 3 p.m. Wednesday, the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office deputies were made aware of an order of protection and a separate court order that needed to be served at a residence on West Southmor Road in unincorporated Morris.

The orders had been issued by a judge in Kendall County that were to be served on Johnson, including an order that baby Silas was to be turned over to the custody of the child’s father, who lives in Yorkville.

The child was believed to be in the mother’s custody.

Deputies responded to the address and spoke to the infant's grandmother, who told police that Emily and Silas were not there and no longer lived there, the sheriff's office said. Deputies were invited inside and verified that Emily or Silas were not inside.

At around 7 p.m., police say deputies were contacted by the baby’s father, who said he was now receiving concerning text messages from Johnson that were suicidal in nature.

The messages also showed that Johnson was aware of the order of protection that was issued, according to police. Out of concern for both Johnson's and Silas’ safety, a phone location search was conducted on Johnson’s cell phone that showed her in Aurora.

The Aurora Police Department was contacted and provided with an address of a relative to check in their city. According to the sheriff's office, Aurora officers went to the address, and the people there did not cooperate with police.

Grundy County deputies entered both Emily and Silas into LEADS (Law Enforcement Agencies Data System) as Missing/Endangered.

The Illinois State Police were also contacted about issuing an AMBER Alert, but it did not meet the criteria. However, an Endangered Missing Person Advisory Alert was activated at the Grundy County Sheriff's Office's request.