JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A missing baby and the man she was reportedly with have been located safely in Jacksonville Beach, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
The man was taken into custody but has not been arrested, at this time, according to police.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said infant was located near 12th Avenue South.
A missing child alert was previously issued for the child, who was said to be less than 6 weeks old. Officials said the infant might have been in the company of an adult man.
Since no charges have been filed, his name has been removed from this story.
Mayor Lenny Curry said the missing 6-week-old was found safe thanks to the collaboration between the Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department and Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
In 2023, Mayor Curry funded the County Watch Office and countywide emergency notification system. This system notified a JFRD firefighter as he was leaving his shift at Fire Station 71. In a happenstance, the firefighter noticed the man and missing infant in the Jacksonville Beach area. Since the man fit the description from the alert and had an infant, he notified JSO and Jacksonville Beach Police, who intercepted the man, and rescued the infant.
“The knowledge our departments have and continue to share with other organizations is lifesaving” said Sheriff T.K. Waters.
“I am incredibly proud of the County Watch Office personnel and Firefighter Hunter Parry for following his instincts. Thanks to Mayor Curry’s investment and our collaborative relationship with JSO, this family’s story has a happy ending,” said Fire Chief Keith Powers.
