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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.
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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.
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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.