APD Finds Missing Baby, and Parents after Amber Alert

Update:

Anchorage Police say they have found the missing baby, and parents involved in yesterday's Amber Alert. This is a developing story please return for details.

Here's the initial story:

Anchorage police said Wednesday morning the AMBER alert for a missing baby taken from a local hospital remained in effect and arrest warrants have been issued for the mother and father.

Police said the alert remains in effect for 3-day-old Max Galo who detectives believe the child to be in danger.

Police said it was searching for the baby's mother 30-year-old Monica Vasquez and father 32-year-old Taimato Galo Jr. and have charged Vasquez and Galo with one count of Criminal Non-Support.

Police alleged Vasquez of fleeing the ANMC maternity ward with her son after OCS attempted to assess the child’s welfare.

According to an arrest warrant document, Vasquez admitted using alcohol and methamphetamine several months prior to her son’s birth and refused to let hospital staff to test her son for traces of drugs.

Hospital staff reported that Vasquez would “routinely leave the maternity unit and upon her return Monica’s demeanor would be different and her eyes would be glossy.”

ANMC staff also reported that the baby had signs that could possibly be withdrawals, however staff were unable to determine if the baby was suffering withdrawal symptoms since Vasquez would refuse testing her or her son.

According to the arrest warrant, Vasquez would remove pads places in the infants diaper that were used to collect urine that could test her son for the presence of drugs.

ANMC initiated an OCS protective service report and when an OCS investigator attempted to interview Vasquez, she reportedly became hostile and combative.

Vasquez then took her son to his father Taimato Galo Jr. and fled the ward.

Original: The Anchorage Police Department responded Tuesday afternoon to reports of a possible child abduction at the Alaska Native Medical Center.

APD said the incident happened around 2:25 p.m. and its investigation revealed that a woman in question was the biological mother of the child.

APD released a photo of the mother that revealed her identity as 30-year-old Monica Vasquez. She's described as Alaskan Native at 5'6" and 200 lbs.

"She was working with another agency on safety issues for the child," said APD Lt. Dave Parker.

"She took the child and left the hospital.  She was followed out by hospital personnel, they followed her out to Tudor Road, but by then they lost her."

Police said because of her actions the search for the woman and the child were continuing Tuesday afternoon.

Alaska State Troopers assisted in the search with a helicopter and an AMBER alert was issued Tuesday afternoon after 4:00 p.m.

The AMBER alert issue said the Vasquez's baby boy was 2-days-old and wrapped in a white blanket.

She was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt and gray sweatpants.

Editor's Note: KTUU's Adam Pinsker contributed to this story. Clarifies APD spelling of Taimato Galo Jr.'s first name.

Contact Neil Torquiano