A frantic two-week search for a missing Auburn Hills woman and her infant daughter came to a close when both were found safe at a Warren laundromat, as confirmed by local authorities. Amanda Rose Prowell-Smith, 32, and her one-month-old baby Eliza, had been the focus of an urgent alert from the Auburn Hills Police Department, citing potential endangerment due to Prowell-Smith's mental health history.
After being tipped off to their whereabouts on Saturday, law enforcement acted swiftly and located the pair. Amanda was taken into custody on outstanding warrants, and with no injuries, baby Eliza was placed under the care of Child Protective Services, FOX 2 reported. In earlier reports, police had emphasized that the mother was not in a stable enough state to care for her child properly. Still, thankfully, the situation didn't lead to any physical harm for the infant.
The Auburn Hills Police issued a statement underscoring the cooperation between civilians and police, which was instrumental in locating the two. Deputy Chief of Police Scott McGraw conveyed his pride for the dedicated search efforts in a statement obtained by WXYZ, "I am incredibly proud of all the officers and detectives who worked on this case and their relentless search for Amanda and Eliza. I could not have asked for a better outcome to this search. Thank you to everyone who assisted."
Prowell-Smith, evidently troubled by past interactions with Child Protective Services, had gone missing with her daughter since February 1, and an earlier domestic violence incident had authorities alarmed, driving them to issue the endangered missing person advisory, as had been detailed in previous coverage by Hoodline. Despite being not born in a hospital setting and lacking a birth record, Eliza was found to be unharmed on her rediscovery. The mother, now in custody, will face the consequences of her actions, but the community sighs in united relief as young Eliza awaits a safer future under proper care.
