Missing Columbia infant found unharmed, woman arrested
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Columbia Police Department announced on Facebook at around 8:20 Saturday that they have found the nine-month-old infant who went missing earlier in the day.
Lt. Derek Moore with the Columbia Police Department told an ABC 17 News reporter on scene that the baby was found unharmed. One person was also arrested related to the incident.
The arrest was for Lillian Scruggs, 32, of Columbia, who was arrested for abuse or neglect of a child.
The baby’s grandmother reported that the child was at the residence with his mother around 3 p.m. before she left, and when she returned around 6 p.m., the child was missing, according to the release.
The child’s grandmother reported that the child was at the residence with his mother when she left at about 3 p.m.
In a press release, CPD officers said they believe someone may have found the child alone inside the house and taken him somewhere else for his safety.
Moore said he was unfamiliar if the perpetrator was related to the child, but they were familiar with the child. The release states “a person known to the child” return him safely.
According to a prior Facebook post at around 7:35 p.m., Zayden Scruggs was last seen from the 700 block of Claudell Lane. Scruggs and was last seen around 3 p.m.
Moore added that when the family notified police the baby was missing, CPD released the public statement to influence the perpetrator to return the baby home.
“We put out the Wireless Emergency Alert, assuming that someone took him for safekeeping; they returned him, and he is safe,” Moore said.
An ABC 17 News reporter was in the 700 block of Claudell Lane at around 8:20 p.m. and saw a person being placed in handcuffs. The reporter also saw five Columbia Police Department vehicles, a Columbia Fire Department engine and a MU Health Care Ambulance.
ABC 17 News has reached out to the Columbia Police Department for details.
Check back for updates.
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