Authorities are urgently searching for a missing 3-month-old boy in Lafayette, Indiana, after a Silver Alert was issued yesterday. Indiana State Police described the infant, Jacob Moneus, as measuring 1-foot-11 and weighing 13 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue shirt adorned with a black bird and a diaper. FOX59 reported the details of his appearance and the last time he was seen.
While Amber Alerts are specifically issued for children who have been abducted and are in imminent danger, with requisite details on a suspect and their vehicle, Silver Alerts pertain to endangered adults or children and are more commonly issued for missing persons. WTHR clarified that it was only last year that the criteria for such alerts were expanded to include children in their scope, thereby permitting the issue of a Silver Alert for cases like that of young Moneus.
The Indiana State Police have firmly to be acting on the provision that these alerts, whether Silver or Amber, must only be initiated by law enforcement authorities. The community and neighboring regions are now alerted to keep an eye out for the missing child and to report any sightings or useful information that could aid in his safe return.
