11 March 2024 , 11:33
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A heartbroken relative of baby Halo Branton has shared her condolences after the “beautiful” and “intelligent” little girl passed away on Sunday (March 10).
The 10-month-old went missing at 9.15pm on Saturday evening from , New York, while wrapped up in a Minnie Mouse blanket — sparking authorities to embark on a huge search including the use of a K-9 unit and . Halo, who was believed to have been kidnapped, was found the following day before being admitted to Ellis Hospital.
But Schenectady Police Department revealed that the little girl sadly passed away later on Sunday, leaving both her family and cops teary-eyed.
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Halo Branton was just shy of 11-months when she passed away after being allegedly kidnapped (nyspolice/Twitter)“She was 10 months old, her birthday was in two months,” Nyree, a woman claiming to be the cousin of Halo's father told CBS 6. “We have a cousin, they had their babies around the same time, she didn't get to celebrate her first birthday. Do you know how sad that is?”
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Halo would have been a one-year-old on April 14. “She deserves justice,” Nyree added.
The relative and the rest of Halo’s family are now trying to focus on some of the cherished memories shared with the deceased little girl. “She was beautiful. She was charming. She was very intelligent,” she added.
“She looked just like her father. She has a brother.”
The 'beautiful' little girl went missing on Saturday evening (Facebook)Halo was allegedly abducted near 12th Street and Campbell Avenue on Saturday evening. Police were worried that she was in imminent danger and put out an amber warning — a child abduction warning system.
Hours later, police announced that they’d found the infant, and with it called off the amber warning. She was admitted to hospital for treatment.
Lieutenant Ryan Macherone of the Schenectady Police Department confirmed Halo had passed away at a conference regarding the incident.
Lieutenant Ryan Macherone said it's the 'worst thing that will ever happen' in his career (WNYT NewsChannel 13)The cop also appeared choked up as he spoke to a reporter about the torrid incident. "I'm saddened to report today that she passed away this afternoon,” the police officer said on Sunday. “It's probably the worst thing that will ever happen [in his career]. Most likely.”
Authorities are treating the incident as a crime, but have not yet revealed who may have kidnapped Halo or how the kidnapping was carried out. It’s also unclear whether 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 cams. 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.
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