Florida Couple Arrested in Infant Disappearance Case

Authorities have apprehended a Florida couple in North Carolina following a year-long investigation into their missing infant’s presumed death. Leon Alejandro Jr., 21, and Samantha Feliz, 20, originally from Hollywood, Florida, were arrested in Rockingham, North Carolina. Investigators believe they fled there during the initial investigation.

They were taken into custody by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service. The couple was booked into the Richmond County Jail on fugitive warrants and are being held without bond, awaiting extradition to Florida.

The investigation began in early 2025 after reports suggested Feliz had given birth between December 2024 and January 2025. The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office indicated the birth was concealed and did not occur in a hospital.

Eyewitnesses, including family members, reportedly saw the couple with the infant during the first month after birth. However, investigators noted the child was not seen afterwards. An arrest warrant suggests the last known image of the child, identified by the initials A.F., was taken on January 5, 2025. In the photo, the baby appeared unwell and malnourished.

“The infant showed signs of distress and displayed no signs of life,” detectives explained regarding the final known image.

Investigation efforts included searches using cadaver dogs, but no remains were found. Authorities suspect Alejandro and Feliz denied the child’s existence, describing the infant as a “prank” or “hoax” intended to con family members financially, according to WPLG.

Investigators pointed to photographs of Feliz appearing pregnant and text messages discussing the unborn child. Items recovered from a storage unit linked to the couple included baby clothing, a positive pregnancy test, and towels with blood stains. DNA analysis confirmed the presence of a biological child of Alejandro and Feliz.

Despite a lack of official medical records, authorities collected sufficient evidence to charge the couple with several felonies. These charges include aggravated manslaughter of a child, tampering with evidence, failure to report a death, providing false information about a missing child, and making false police reports.

The couple reportedly relocated to property owned by one of Alejandro’s relatives in Richmond County, where authorities discovered and arrested them on July 22.

Richmond County Sheriff Mark Gulledge commended the collaborative efforts of multiple agencies involved in the case. “This arrest highlights the importance of nationwide cooperation among law enforcement,” Gulledge stated.

Further details about the investigation have not been released. Attempts to reach the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office for more information have not been met with a response.