11 March 2024 , 09:54
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Many unanswered questions have been left after the death of a baby who had been kidnapped kicking off a frantic search.
On Saturday (March 9) an Amber alert was issued for Halo Branton as cops, the FBI and a fleet of dogs and drones desperately scoured for the missing baby.
The 10-month-old was allegedly kidnapped from Schenectady, New York, while wrapped up in a Minnie Mouse blanket. Officers were alerted following a 911 call at around 11pm on Saturday.
On Sunday afternoon, the infant was found on the General Electric campus and taken to Ellis Hospital for treatment, ending the Amber alert. But just hours later Lieutenant Ryan Macherone of Schenectady Police Department confirmed Halo had passed away at a conference regarding the incident.
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Halo was last seen on Saturday evening before going missing (Facebook)
The 10-month-old would have celebrated her first birthday in April (Facebook)She would have celebrated her first birthday on April 14.
“I'm saddened to report today that she passed away this afternoon,” the teary-eyed police officer said on Sunday.
After being asked by a reporter what it was like to announce a baby dying, the lieutenant said: "It's probably the worst thing that will ever happen (in his career). Most likely."
He later confirmed that due to a criminal investigation being launched, there's limited information that can be released. He refused to answer a number reporters' questions following his statement.
While the Lieutenant announced the sad update about Halo’s passing, no information has been released about potential suspects and there are still some questions left unanswered.
How was Halo abudcted?
Lieutenant Ryan Macherone appeared to break down while speaking with a reporter (WNYT NewsChannel 13)Halo was last seen at around 9.15pm on 12th Street at Campbell Avenue on Saturday. Police are treating the situation as a crime, with an investigation being launched – with fears she was snatched in the middle of the night.
Due to the investigation little more information has been released about how she was taken but officers will be trying to piece together what exactly happened.
How was she found?
Initial tip-offs helped locate the baby cops said. “Tips and any information we originally received kind of centered our search around that area,” officers said in a statement.
Police used all tools and tactics in their arsenal in order to locate the little girl. “There were a great deal of resources being deployed in that area," they said.
"Aviation and multiple drones were in the air, multiple K-9 units were helping throughout the night as well searching the area."
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Lieutenant Ryan Macherone told reporters the sad news (WNYT NewsChannel 13)The next morning, the Amber alert was retracted, with an abrupt update from the New York State police reading: "Amber Alert Cancelled. Halo has been located. Thank you to everyone for your support."
Sources close to the investigation say she was found in a shed on the GE campus.
How did she die?
Police have revealed no information about how the 10-month-old died. She was last seen on Saturday evening wearing white sweatpants with brown and tan flowers, a long-sleeve, light pink shirt with a butterfly design, and had a Minnie Mouse blanket.
It’s still unclear how Halo ended up on the General Electric property, if she was still alive when police first found her, and what her cause of death is.
An autopsy will be carried out to help the investigation.
Are there any suspects?
Police have not yet revealed who may have kidnapped her or how the kidnapping was carried out. Police haven't revealed if anyone is in custody at this time, but are interviewing many people, according to local news outlet WNYT.
Lieutenant Macherone said: “It's to be treated as a criminal investigation. The New York State Police are working side-by-side on this. We're at the infancy of the investigation at this point.”
He also urged anyone with information to come forward and for locals in the area to check their doorbell cameras.
Who was looking after Halo when she was kidnapped?
It is currently unclear who was looking after Halo at the time of the kidnapping or how the kidnapping might have been carried out.
The Mirror has reached out to Schenectady Police Department regarding any updates.