Missing infant from Massachusetts found in north Alabama

ETOWAH COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — A 1-year-old child from Massachusetts was found in the custody of his mother in north Alabama following an alleged abduction case.

According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), a law enforcement bulletin was issued on Friday by the Fall River Police Department concerning an endangered missing infant.

FRPD stated Genezza Packett, 22, visited her son, who lives in the custody of her aunt, on Thursday. Packett said she was taking her child to a nearby Dunkin’ Donuts but never returned.

Upon further investigation, Packett and the child were believed to be traveling south by car towards Mississippi. Relevant information was relayed to troopers with ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division.

At around 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, ALEA troopers located the vehicle on Interstate 59 in Etowah County near Attalla. A traffic stop was conducted a traffic stop and the child was recovered safely. Packett faces pending criminal charges by FRPD in Massachusetts.

“I commend the exceptional collaboration and communication of the Intelligence Analysts within our Fusion Center and our Troopers, along with our counterparts in other states, for their instrumental actions in the safe recovery of a missing 1-year-old child,” ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor stated in a press release. “Their dedication to duty and quick thinking resulted in the child’s safe recovery which exemplifies the true spirit of law enforcement and demonstrates the necessity of sharing intelligence with both local and state law enforcement partners.”

No further information is available as the investigation is ongoing.