Crime & Safety

Amber Alert: Suspect Named In Disappearance Of Vanessa Morales, 1

Ansonia Police have named a suspect in the disappearance of Vanessa Morales, 1. Her mother, Christine Holloway, was found dead on Dec. 2.

Ansonia Police have named a suspect in the disappearance of Vanessa Morales, 1, who is the subject of an Amber Alert.
Ansonia Police have named a suspect in the disappearance of Vanessa Morales, 1, who is the subject of an Amber Alert. (State Police )

ANSONIA, CT — Jose Morales, who is the father of missing 1-year-old Vanessa Morales, has been named as a suspect in both the death of Vanessa's mother, Christine Holloway, 43, and in the disappearance of Vanessa, according to various media reports late Tuesday.

Holloway was found dead inside her Ansonia house on Dec. 2 and an Amber Alert was issued soon thereafter for Vanessa. Holloway died as a result of blunt force trauma, WTNH News 8 reports.

Morales, 43, who was Holloway's boyfriend, has been in prison since Dec. 3 on separate charges not connected to this case. He was arrested for possessing two stun guns in his New Haven home, which is a violation because he's a convicted felon, WFSB 3 TV reports.

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Morales was already a suspect in Holloway's death but on Tuesday authorities now say he is also a suspect in Vanessa's disappearance, NBC Connecticut reports.

Vanessa hasn't been seen since Nov. 29. An Amber Alert was issued for Vanessa Dec. 4 after a Silver Alert was issued a day prior. Police discovered Vanessa was missing Dec. 2 after going to Holloway's home for a welfare check and finding the mother dead.

Find out what's happening in Shelton-Derbyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Police have searched several nearby towns including Derby, Naugatuck and Hamden as part of their investigation.

Vanessa is 2 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs 17 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact Ansonia Police at 203-735-1885 or the FBI at 800-225-5324.

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