The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is seeking information about Benjamin William Miller and his 37-year-old mother, Crystal Renee Miller, after the newborn left Banner Boswell Medical Center with her on Nov. 3. Deputies say Benjamin is at substantial risk because of his age and need for constant care, according to a report from AZFamily.
Timeline and child-welfare involvement
Benjamin was born Oct. 25, according to 12News. He was last seen on Nov. 3, when Crystal Miller left the hospital with him at about 4 p.m., according to AZFamily. Authorities said his age and need for immediate, continuous care put him at risk.
The circumstances behind Benjamin's disappearance trace back to steps taken soon after he was born. A report says the Arizona Department of Child Safety put a safety plan in place after Benjamin's birth because his mother had reported using drugs before he was born. The same report notes that DCS personnel went to the hospital to take temporary custody of the newborn, but Crystal Miller reportedly refused to surrender him and left on foot with the child.
How safety plans and AMBER Alerts differ
Arizona DCS policy defines a Safety Plan as a written arrangement involving a parent, guardian or custodian, responsible adults and the Department, according to Arizona Department of Child Safety policy. That describes an arrangement for addressing safety concerns; in this case, reports separately describe DCS personnel seeking temporary custody. The policy definition alone does not establish the details of the plan reportedly used here. Arizona DPS says it issues an AMBER Alert only when all five of its listed criteria are met, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety. That threshold differs from a general request for information, such as the sheriff's public appeal in this case; the criteria alone do not establish whether an alert was issued.
What authorities have shared
Police said Miller's last known address was near 19th Avenue and Glendale Avenue and that she is not known to have a vehicle. Authorities described her as 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing 165 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes. Benjamin was described as a white baby weighing about five pounds, with no hair, last seen wearing a white and brown onesie.
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has asked the public for any information about Benjamin or his mother and provided a tip line for anyone who may have seen them. Anyone with information is urged to call the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office at 602-876-1011, per a report from AZFamily.
