💛 A quick favor, if you've got a second.
We're really happy that you chose to read one of our stories and sincerely hope you'll stick around to read more. We took our paywall down — for now — but that won't last forever, and when the gate goes back up, we'd love for you to already be on the inside.
It's free. So please enter your email here and don't forget to like and follow us on all of your favorite Social Media platforms!
Authorities in North Carolina apprehended Leon Alejandro Jr., 21, and Samantha Feliz, 20, of Hollywood, Florida, on Wednesday following a 12-month inquiry into the suspected death of their infant. The pair was taken into custody in Rockingham, North Carolina, by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Marshals Service on fugitive of justice warrants and booked into the Richmond County Jail without bond pending extradition to Florida.
Hollywood police launched their investigation in early 2025 after determining that Feliz had delivered a child sometime between December 6, 2024, and January 5, 2025, at a location outside a medical facility. Family members reported observing the couple with the infant during its first month, but the child subsequently disappeared from all documented sightings, according to authorities.
Detectives obtained photographs dated January 5, 2025, showing the infant identified as A.F. appearing “visibly ill and malnourished” with “no signs of life” in what investigators described as the last known image. Cadaver dog searches across multiple sites yielded no remains, though investigators recovered baby clothing, a positive pregnancy test, and blood-stained towels from a storage unit linked to the defendants.
The suspects allegedly told relatives the baby “was a prank” and later claimed the pregnancy constituted a “hoax” designed to defraud family members. DNA analysis confirmed blood on the recovered items matched a biological child of both defendants, despite the absence of birth certificates or hospital records.
Both face charges including aggravated manslaughter of a child, evidence tampering and fabrication, failure to report a death to the medical examiner, providing false information about a missing child, and making false reports to law enforcement. Investigators located the couple living on property owned by one of Alejandro’s relatives in Richmond County when they executed the arrest on July 22.
More Stories
Federal Judge Restricts BBC’s Ability to Relitigate Capitol Riot in Trump’s $10 Billion Defamation Case
Three Men Face Felony Charges in Miami-Dade Fraternity Hazing Case
Police Kill Suspect in Berlin Pride Event Vehicle Attack That Left One Dead