An urgent search is underway after an Amber Alert was activated for Jace Saunders. A 5-year-old boy last spotted near the 1000th block of Wells Avenue in Tavares, Florida, his reported sighting comes amidst grave concerns due to his semi-verbal state and autism diagnosis, according to information released by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and covered by ABC Action News.
The boy, described by authorities as 3 feet tall and 55 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes, was last seen wearing a long-sleeve black shirt featuring a multicolored graphic alongside dark-colored pajama pants, the Tavares Police Department provided details of what he wore which was beneficial in the FDLE's release of Jace's photo exactly in the attire he had on at his last sighting; this information was confirmed in reports by both WFLA and WTSP.
Police suspect the child may be with his grandmother, Kelly Day-Dasilva, a 5 feet 2 inches tall woman weighing about 120 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes, both are possibly traveling in a black Honda Accord; Day-Dasilva, now the subject of an active warrant in Lake County for kidnapping and interfering with child custody, is purportedly linked to the boy's disappearance amid an ongoing Department of Children and Families (DCF) investigation, this adds a layer of complexity to an already sensitive case.
Adding to the alarming circumstances, the parents of Jace Saunders were also arrested by the Tavares Police for reportedly interfering with child custody laws, as if the boy's case were not complicated enough, the fact remains unclear as to why they were taken into custody shortly after Jace's disappearance was made public, as according to a statement obtained by WTSP.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward and have stressed that if Jace is sighted, members of the public should not approach but instead immediately contact law enforcement to ensure his safe recovery.
