Savannah Police Recover Missing Toddler, Arrest Mother

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – A 3-year-old girl, Leilani Elliott, has been found safe after being taken during a supervised visit by her mother, Jessy Elliott, on Thursday morning.

The incident began around 10:45 a.m. during a scheduled visit when Jessy Elliott, 32, allegedly walked out of the facility with her daughter without permission. Savannah Police were alerted shortly after, and authorities feared for the child’s safety.

According to police reports, security cameras monitored the visit and captured Jessy leaving with Leilani. Sgt. Aaron Washington of the Savannah Police Department indicated that Jessy had coordinated the abduction and had plans to take Leilani to Texas.

After issuing an Amber Alert at around 4:30 p.m. Thursday, efforts to locate the mother and daughter intensified. Just under 24 hours later, the Georgia Department of Human Services helped track them down in Camden County. Camden County deputies arrested Jessy and confirmed that Leilani was found safe and unharmed.

As of now, Jessy Elliott faces charges of kidnapping and possibly additional charges. Washington expressed relief at the child’s safe recovery, emphasizing the urgency of such cases. “When a child is involved, everything gets dropped to find them,” he stated. “I have a three-year-old myself and can relate to how desperate parents can feel in these situations.”

This isn’t Jessy Elliott’s first encounter with law enforcement. Past reports reveal she was arrested in April for drug possession and had previously been charged with child abandonment after leaving another child in a dangerous environment.

The Amber Alert raised concerns, as delays in sending out the alert were noted due to the absence of a vehicle tag number, which is required for issuing statewide alerts. The department managed to disseminate information through social media to aid the search.

Leilani is currently in state custody, while her mother’s legal standing remains uncertain as police investigate further.