ANSONIA — The search for 1‑year-old Vanessa Morales received national attention Saturday night thanks to “LIVE PD,” a reality-television show that airs on A&E. The video from the segment was also posted on Facebook.
The segment is embedded above.
Local and state police, along with the FBI, are trying to find Vanessa, who was last seen by a relative on Friday, Nov. 29.
Anyone with information on Vanessa’s whereabouts should call the FBI at 203 503 5555 or Ansonia police at 203 735 1885.
Melissa’s mother, Christine Holloway, 43, was found dead inside their Myrtle Avenue house the evening of Monday, Dec. 2. She died from blunt-force trauma and her death was a homicide.
Police are also searching for Holloway’s killer.
No suspects have been identified.
STATE POLICE
Anyone with information on Vanessa’s whereabouts should call the FBI at 203 503 5555 or Ansonia police at 203 735 1885.
Vanessa’s father was arrested Dec. 3 on weapons charges at his New Haven residence after Ansonia police served a search and seizure warrant connected to Holloway’s death/homicide investigation. Police allegedly found two stun guns, according to an arrest report, and called New Haven police because the father is not allowed to possess weapons since his is a convicted felon. New Haven police arrested the father, who is being held on a $250,000 bond.
Ansonia police also served a search and seizure warrant on the father’s “person,” according to the arrest document. No information on that has been released.
Police said last week the father was cooperative.
Bloody material or clothing recovered connected to Holloway’s death originated in a clothes-donation bin across from 112 Derby Ave. Police searched the area Dec. 6. Derby police put out a message last week asking for anyone with home security footage from Division Street to Route 34 on the Orange town line call authorities at 203 503 5555.
On Saturday, Dec. 7, police received a report of a car seat left in a parking lot on Ella Grasso Boulevard. Ansonia police said the car seat is not connected to their investigation.
Finally, Ansonia police responded to a viral social media post asking people to put out a red light as a signal to Vanessa’s alleged kidnapper that she could be dropped off at a red light home with no questions asked.
Police said people can put out a red light as a symbol of their support for Vanessa and efforts to find her.
But they said the child should be brought to a hospital, fire department or police department.
Editor’s note: DO NOT ENCOURAGE THE CHILD TO BE DROPPED OFF AT A RANDOM HOME.
“We are asking all the people who have shared the red light message to please add to their message that Vanessa should be brought to a local hospital, fire department, or police department,” Ansonia Police Lt. Patrick Lynch said in a statement Sunday.
