2-year-old Cataleya Lehlani Deberry. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. CROIX — The V.I. Police Department said Wednesday afternoon that a release it issued this morning calling for the community's help in locating a 2-year-old child has been reclassified as a Kidnapping.
According to VIPD Public Information Officer Toby Derima, the police department has since learned that the non-custodial father of 2-year-old Cataleya Lehlani Deberry had his daughter over the weekend and left the territory with her.
The police department has since issued a national Amber Alert, turning the matter into a nationwide hunt. Mr. Derima said the department had not provided clearance to identify the father.
According to a notice published by the police department Wednesday morning, Deberry is a Hispanic/Black female, 33.5 inches in height, and weighs pounds. She was last seen Sunday, December 19, wearing a white long-sleeved shirt, long pajama pants with Disney characters, and multicolored Crocs.
Mr. Derima said the report was filed with police late Tuesday.
If you have seen Cataleya Lehlani Deberry or know her whereabouts, please contact police by calling 911, the Crime TipLine at (340) 778-2211, or Crime Stoppers USVI at (800) 222-TIPS.
