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Florida grandma arrested for kidnapping grandson, triggering AMBER Alert during DCF probe: police

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Updated  December 16, 2024 11:36am EST
Lake County
FOX 35 Orlando

Grandma, parents arrested in Florida Amber Alert

A 5-year-old boy who went missing, prompting an Amber Alert overnight in Tavares, Florida, was found safe early Monday morning, officials said. The boy's mom, dad, and grandma have all been arrested on various charges. Police said it all stemmed from an ongoing DCF investigation. FOX 35's Marie Endinger spoke with the boy's great grandmother about what led to the situation.

The Brief

    • The 5-year-old boy at the center of an AMBER Alert in Florida is safe and in good health, according to police.
    • The Tavares Police Department said he was abducted by his grandmother, Kelly Day-Dasilva, on Sunday afternoon.
    • On Monday morning, Day-Dasilva brought the child to the Lady Lake Police Department, authorities said. She was arrested on charges of kidnapping and interference with child custody.

TAVARES, Fla. - A Florida woman is facing charges after she allegedly abducted her 5-year-old grandson, Jace Saunders, from Tavares on Sunday, which led to an AMBER Alert, according to police.

Kelly Day-Dasilva, 50, was arrested on charges of kidnapping and interference with child custody, the Tavares Police Department announced during a news conference Monday morning.

Authorities said they were notified at around 8:30 a.m. that she brought Jace to the Lady Lake Police Department. He was found safe and in good health, and has since been placed in the custody of the Department of Children and Families (DCF).

2018 booking photo of Kelly Day-Dasilva (Credit: Tavares Police Department)

On Sunday, police and DCF officials went to a home on Tara Drive in Tavares to remove Jace from a relative's custody to transfer him to DCF. However, Jace was not at the residence; he was reportedly on a golf cart ride with a family friend, Mitchell Morris. The relative contacted Morris, instructing him to return Jace.

Tavares Police speak after missing 5-year-old found safe

Tavares Police hold press conference after 5-year-old Tavares boy was found safe.

Morris returned to the home without Jace and later admitted to handing him over to Day-Dasilva at a local park to prevent the child from being taken by DCF, police said.

Before Morris returned, the relative attempted to contact Jace's parents, Taylor Judy and Brandon Saunders, who were reportedly "verbally hostile" and refused to allow Jace to be turned over to the state.

Judy, Saunders and Morris were all arrested for interference with child custody, officials said. 

(Pictured: Taylor Judy (left) Brandon Saunders (center) and Mitchell Morris (right) (Credit: Tavares Police Department)

Saunders faces an additional charge of resisting without violence after allegedly becoming hostile towards officers and refusing to provide information that could help locate his son.

DCF stated they have an extensive history with the family concerning domestic-related issues.

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The Source: The information provided in this article came from the Tavares Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. 

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