The San Francisco Police Department has located two toddlers who went missing in the early hours of Monday, March 21st, after being left in the care of their mother's acquaintance at the Carl's Jr. in Hallidie Plaza.
According to the SFPD's Special Victim's Unit, the children's mother, 26-year-old Shanyce Jones of Oakland, reported the children missing at 10pm Tuesday, March 22nd at the Tenderloin Police Station.
During the initial investigation, Jones told officers that she and the children were at the Burger King at 1200 Market St. between 12pm and 2pm March 21st. She met a person named “Jacquita,” whom she met roughly two months prior, and left the children with Jacquita after making arrangements to meet her at a restaurant in Hallidie Plaza three hours later.
Jones was late to the meeting and arranged to meet Jacquita on March 22nd. However, when Jones went to the restaurant on March 22nd, Jacquita and the children were not there.
Surveillance footage obtained from the Carl’s Jr. at 1 Hallidie Plaza, however, shows the children were with their mother last at 2:24am Monday, March 21st.
Surveillance footage of Jones with the girls at Carl’s Jr. in Hallidie Plaza.
Due to inconsistent statements she made to investigators, the SFPD found probable cause to arrest Jones. She's been booked on charges of child endangerment and possession of a controlled substance, and remains in custody.
The children, 2½-year-old Mekaylah Jones and 14-month-old Renyce Young, were found at 3:45pm this afternoon after officers from the Tenderloin Station were alerted that Jacquita had taken them to St. Francis Hospital.
The toddlers appeared to be in good health and will be medically evaluated, the SFPD reports.
Investigators from the Special Victims Unit will be conducting further investigation, and Child Protective Services will be involved.
