Baby disappears – parents' version shocks investigators: "It was a prank"
A shocking case in the United States: 21-year-old Alejandro Leon Jr. and 20-year-old Samantha Feliz, residents of Hollywood, Florida, have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the death and disappearance of their infant son. After the child's death, the couple allegedly tried to convince relatives that the baby never existed and that the pregnancy was a "prank."
A shocking case in the United States: 21-year-old Alejandro Leon Jr. and 20-year-old Samantha Feliz, residents of Hollywood, Florida, have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the death and disappearance of their infant son. According to investigators, after the child's death, the couple attempted to convince family members that the baby never existed and that the entire pregnancy was a "prank."
Samantha Feliz and Alejandro Leon Jr. were arrested in Rockingham, North Carolina, shortly after 9 a.m. on Wednesday, according to the Hollywood Police Department.
The pair was taken into custody on July 22 after allegedly fleeing Florida when local police began investigating the baby's disappearance. They were located at a property belonging to a relative of Leon in Richmond County and are currently being held without bail pending extradition to Florida.
Investigation findings indicate that Feliz gave birth to the baby between December 6, 2024, and January 5, 2025. The birth occurred outside a medical facility, without official documentation, and was concealed from authorities. Family members testified that they saw the couple with the baby during the first month of his life, after which he disappeared and his tracks were lost.
According to the arrest warrant, the last photo of the baby was taken on January 5, 2025, in which the infant appears "visibly ill, suffering from severe malnutrition, and showing no signs of life." Despite extensive searches using cadaver dogs, the toddler's remains have not yet been found.
The absurd version: "It was a prank"
Instead of reporting the baby's death, investigators claim the couple embarked on a series of calculated lies. Initially, they told relatives that the baby was a "prank," later claiming that the pregnancy itself was a scam intended to extract money from family members.
However, physical evidence completely contradicted their version. Investigators discovered photos of Feliz in late pregnancy, text messages referring to the baby, and infant equipment. The most incriminating evidence was found in a storage unit used by the couple: blood-stained towels. DNA tests confirmed that the blood belongs to the couple's biological offspring.
Indictment
Despite the lack of a body or birth certificate, Florida authorities believe a solid evidentiary basis has been established for serious charges. The couple is expected to stand trial for aggravated manslaughter of a minor, destruction of evidence, failure to report a death, providing false information about a missing child, and false reporting to law enforcement. The investigation into the circumstances of the baby's death continues.
