Yes, you read it right, a Virgin Island AMBER Alert. When I first saw the missing poster for this child with the letters “VI” for what I thought was the initials of the state of residence I thought it was an error. Certainly they must have meant “VA” for Virginia. Anyway, call me nationalistic in my thinking. But you can’t call me that either because much to my surprise the Virgin Islands are considered part of the United States. Of course that echoes in my brain somewhere – United States Virgin Islands. I guess I just think AMBER Alerts are for the fifty states that make up United States of America. Enough of my meandering.

According to a Virgin Islands news website called St. Croix Source, two-year-old Alayah Watley resides with her mother on the island. She was last seen on Saturday at the home of her father, Rolando Watley. According to the article, Alayah was in her father’s temporary custody, however he is currently “off island”.

The AMBER Alert issued by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children states that Alayah is the victim of a non-family abduction and is believed to be traveling in a car owned by her father but driven by Candice Hazel. The AMBER Alert goes on to state that if contact is made with Alayah or either Candice Hazel, Delicia Hazel, Tiffany Hazel, Kyle Hazel or Rolando Watley police should be called. It sounds as if Alayah has more than one abductor, including her father.

I like the way the reporter for the St. Croix paper put it in no uncertain terms what will happen to anyone not contacting law enforcement if they know anything about this abduction:

If you are with Watley or may know her whereabouts please contact Detective M. Myers at 712-6046 immediately. Anyone withholding information on the whereabouts of this missing child and does not contact police immediately will face criminal charges.

It is refreshing to see someone not be so politically correct when asking for help to find a missing child.

Victim: Alayah Watley

Alayah is a 2-year-old Black female with black hair and brown eyes. She is 1’5″ tall and weighs 30lbs. When last seen Alayah was wearing black pants, a red shirt, gold earrings and no shoes. Her hair is worn in braids and her ears are pierced. Alayah is in need of medical attention.

Suspect: Candice Hazel

There is no information about Candice Hazel except that she is a female.

Suspect Vehicle

White Compass with License Number CDH-815

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Detective M. Myers at 712-6046 or the Virgin Islands Police Department at 340-772-9111.

Updates

July 20, 2009: 9:30 p.m. PST

The AMBER Alert activated this afternoon for Alayah has been canceled. A relative contacted police this evening and said Alayah was with her. Police interviewed the relative and then returned Alayah to her mother. Detectives will contact the Attorney General to see what charges, if any, will be filed.

Sources

Two-Year Old Alayah Watley Missing on St. Croix, St. Croix Source, Last Accessed: July 20, 2009.

AMBER Alert: Alayah Watley, NCMEC, Last Accessed: July 20, 2009.

Alayah Watley Missing Poster, NCMEC, Last Accessed: July 20, 2009.

Source Staff, VI Amber Alert Called Off: Missing 2-Year-Old Found on St. Croix, St. Croix Source, Last Accessed: July 20, 2009.