WYOMING, Mich. — Two young brothers were found alive and safe Tuesday afternoon, hours after a missing child alert was issued for them.
Michigan State Police and the Wyoming Department of Public Safety say the one-year-old and the four-year-old were both found safe.
The two were last seen on Burlingame Avenue with their biological father. State police say the father is mentally ill.
Wyoming Public Safety told FOX 17 that 25-year-old Jacobus Ezell assaulted the boys' mother before 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, and then took off with the boys.
“The concern is associated with the Mr. Ezell having a history of mental disorder, as well as a history of domestic violence and drug use,” Wyoming Captain Timothy Pols said Tuesday morning.
“In addition to the assault this morning, he has an adult probation order precluding him from having contact with a child's mother.”
According to police, the children were dropped off at their mother's house by another family member some time around 1:00 p.m. Tuesday.
Ezell is not yet in police custody.
The Wyoming Police Department tells FOX 17 that the Kent County Prosecutor's Office will now review the case. That will dictate their next steps in regards to the biological father of the boys.
Some viewers reached out, asking why an Amber Alert was not issued in this case.
“There's criteria that are required for an Amber Alert to be issued. We have discussed this with the State Police and it does not meet the criteria for an Amber Alert,” Captain Pols said at a press conference held before the kids were located.
In order for an Amber Alert to be issued, several parameters must be met.
First, law enforcement must believe a child or children, under the age of 18, has been abducted and is in imminent danger.
Second, there must be sufficient information available to share with the public that could assist in safely locating the child.
FOX 17 has removed the children's names and photos from this article. We are no longer identifying them, as they were found safe.
