AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Auburn Hills police are working with several neighboring agencies to search for a missing 1-month-old baby girl who was taken by her mother.
UPDATE: Missing Auburn Hills mother, newborn separated after police find them at Warren laundromat
An endangered missing advisory was issued for 1-month-old Eliza Prowell-Smith on Monday (Feb. 5) as officials believe she is with her birth mother, Amanda Prowell-Smith, 32, who officials say has a documented mental status.
The incident occurred on Friday, Feb. 2, at 2385 South Boulevard, apartment 210, in Auburn Hills, when Amanda assaulted her mother at the residence.
Officials spoke to Local 4 on Tuesday and said they are apprehensive about Eliza as Amanda has had two other children previously removed from her care due to her mental state.
“For us, it is concerning that she wouldn’t be in contact with her mom,” said Auburn Hills police Deputy Chief Scott McGraw.
Amanda and Eliza have yet to be seen or heard from since last Friday, when the incident occurred.
“Based on her mental illness, multiple diagnoses, and not taking her medication, she could be in danger,” McGraw said.
A Ring camera captured Amanda and Eliza leaving the apartment following the physical altercation with her mother at the apartment.
During this investigation, they also discovered concerning details about Eliza’s birth as she was not born in a hospital, has no documented birth record, and has not been seen by a doctor.
“She apparently had given birth to Eliza in the apartment in December,” McGraw said. “The child has not been to a doctor, and Amanda has not been to a doctor.”
Police say an amber alert was not issued because Eliza was not abducted, which is a requirement for an amber alert.
“There is no real intention that we know that Amanda has to harm her child,” McGraw said. “She just has her child with her while she decides not to be around family.”
Police say Amanda doesn’t have a cell phone or a car, making it more difficult to find them.
“It is very difficult with someone without a cell phone, somebody without a car to be able to track, it’s going to be a difficult challenge,” McGraw said.
Anyone with information should contact the Auburn Hills Police Department at 248-370-4444 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak Up.
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