Missing Elkhart County mother and baby found in South Bend

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) – The SUV of a missing New Paris mother was found on Tuesday night.

27-year-old Alexis Morales, and her 5-month-old son Messiah had been missing since April 12, last seen after attending a gathering at Kelly Park on South Bend’s east side.

South Bend Police located the vehicle just after 6 p.m. in an alley in the 400 block of S. Bendix after police noticed the plate matched the vehicle in the Silver Alert out of Elkhart County. Police originally reported that the vehicle was found in the 400 block of S. Kaley Street, but they updated the vehicle’s location during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

According to police, Alexis Morales was found deceased and her son has been taken to the hospital.

“Tough every time we have to deal with situations like… the kind of week that we’ve had – tears your heart out, it really does,” said Joe Leszczynski, captain of the South Bend Police Department.

The child is reportedly in good condition.

Stay with 16 News Now on-air and online as we continue to follow this developing story.

Press Release from South Bend Police Department:

Earlier this evening, South Bend Police were called to the 400 block of S. Kaley to investigate possible sightings of a vehicle connected to a recent Silver Alert issued out of Elkhart County.

Officers located an adult female and a small baby inside the vehicle.

27-year-old Alexis Morales was pronounced deceased at the scene. 5-month-old Messiah Morales was not injured but was transported to the hospital for observation.

The South Bend Police Department is working with the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the circumstances surrounding Alexis Morales’ death and her prior disappearance.

This is an ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the South Bend Police Department Detective Bureau at 574-235-9263 or Michiana Crime Stoppers at 574-288-STOP.

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