Westchester Toddler Missing Since Early Feb. Found Safe In Queens: DA

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — A nerve-racking missing child story finally has a happy ending, as a toddler at the center of feverish search has been found safe.

Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace said on Wednesday that a multi-jurisdictional effort resulted in the rescue of a 3-year-old boy, who had been missing since early February.

"I am relieved to hear that investigators from my office located this child and that he was found in good health," DA Cacace said. "Our office worked day and night to determine his whereabouts and bring him to safety. I commend the work of our partners in law enforcement and social services who helped bring about this tremendous result."

The child and his mother disappeared from a temporary housing facility in Westchester early last month. Investigators with the DA's Office then initiated a "round-the-clock search effort that spanned four counties and two states," collaborating with several police departments and social services agencies.

The child was eventually located at his maternal grandmother's home in Queens. The district attorney said that he was dirty, but was otherwise in apparent good health. The boy was taken to Westchester Medical Center for a precautionary evaluation.

The mother and her boyfriend were arrested for outstanding warrants for larceny charges.

The district attorney praised the work of those who diligently helped to bring the case to a close, including, Chief Criminal Investigator Andy Grascia, Deputy Chief Criminal Investigator Wade Hardy, Senior Investigator Latheia Smith, Investigators Marecia Baltimore, Marie D'Angelo, Rachel Dragos and Naomi Jimenez, Crime Analysts Toni Garcia and Alessia Vicari, Child and Elder Abuse Bureau Chief Christine Hatfield, Assistant District Attorneys Alexandra Kontos and Wendy Parra, Special Prosecutions Division Chief Fredric Green and Investigations Information Coordinator Melissa Sheeley.

Cacace also recognized the work of the agencies who helped make this happy ending possible, including, the Mount Vernon Police Department, the Yonkers Police Department, the New York City Police Department, the Paterson Police Department, the Westchester County Department of Social Services, the Westchester County Department of Public Safety’s Real Time Crime Unit and My Sisters' Place.