A Warning from Local Police After an Infant is Kidnapped by an Imposter

On the heels of a recent kidnapping, the local police officers are encouraging parents to call the police, whenever any person is claiming to represent a government agency. According to Reed, Detman, & Spivey (2010), the suspect had tricked the parents by stating that she was with the local child protection agency. Now, police are asking all parents to ask any person representing a public agency for their credentials and identification.

Take the time to call the agency that the person may represent or call the police, since they will comply with your request if they are with DCF. The story of this kidnapping has made national headlines and making its way through the internet. The police want to avoid having another kidnapping like the one that occurred on March 1, 2010. According to Reed, Detman, & Spivey (2010), the parents of Baby Melvin Duclos endured a parent's worst nightmare.

Around midnight on March 2,2010, in Jacksonville, FL called police to report their baby stolen. Immediately, police issued an Amber Alert after learning the details of this shocking case. According to Reed, Detman, & Spivey (2010), the baby was kidnapped by an imposter, who had convinced the parents the she was a Department of Children and Families caseworker. Unfortunately, the Haitian parents were unfamiliar with the agency or its procedures.

Additionally, the police state that the suspect gave the parents documents and threatened to call the police, if they didn't comply with her demands. According to Reed, Detman, & Spivey (2010), the parents honestly believed that the young woman worked for local DCF, but learned that she was an imposter after contacting local authorities. The young woman told the parents that she was taking the baby into protective custody, but would return soon.

Later that night, the concerned parents called the police, because something did not feel right to either of them. The baby's parents said that the woman followed them home from Shand's Hospital and approached them at their home. The parents began praying, while police began investigating this heartbreaking case. Many police officers and detectives worked diligently into the night, in order to find this helpless baby and the suspect accused of taking him.

The detectives collected evidence and began informing the public through the local news outlets, as the parents waited for any news. Fortunately, the police were able to find a single fingerprint on the fake documents, which the suspect gave the baby's parents. This one-of-a-kind fingerprint led police to a young lady, who had been arrested and fingerprinted in the past. The police worked fast, in order to find the suspect and the baby, as the night progressed.

According to Reed, Detman, & Spivey (2010), the police were able to identify the baby's kidnapper, as 19 year-old Jasmine Marie White.Twelve hours later, the missing baby was found safe by police and returned to the arms of his grateful parents. Baby Melvin's parents are thankful to have him home and they believe his return is a miracle from God. The police have arrested Miss. White and questioned her about her involvement in this case. According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (2010), she waits for her day in court, while the parents rejoice about the return of their child.

According to Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (2010), the young lady has been arrested and charged with four felonies in relation to this kidnapping case. Thankfully, she is in jail and is now waiting for her day in court. All parents are being encouraged to be proactive and call the police, whenever someone claims they are with a public agency. Therefore, police warn that it is vital for parents to ask questions and learn the different public agency's policies.

References:

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (2010) JSO Inmate Information Search: Jasmine Marie White
Retrieved on March 12, 2010 from Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Website
http://inmatesearch.jaxsheriff.org/jso_public_iis/(S(4ex2uwfomeald3auo1xaqx45))/IISInmateDetails.aspx

Reed, T., Detman, G., & Spivey, E. (2010) Baby Melvin Back with Family; Woman Held for Questioning
Retrieved on March 12, 2010 from First Coast News Website
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/news-article.aspx?storyid=152702