Mom Of Missing 9-Year-Old Autistic Boy Arrested For Murder

MIAMI, FL — The mother of a missing 9-year-old boy with autism was arrested for his murder Saturday, just a day after she told police the child was taken by two men who ran her car off the road and demanded drugs.

Patricia Ripley, 47, was arrested by Miami-Dade homicide detectives on suspicion of first-degree murder and taken to jail, the Miami Herald reported. Detectives spent hours questioning the mother Friday night before she was booked.

On Thursday night, Ripley had called police to report Alejandro as missing. She told them she driving and was followed by an unknown vehicle, which sideswiped her and forced her vehicle off the road. Ripley told police they were approached by two black men demanding drugs. When Ripley said she didn't have any drugs, she told police the two men stole her cell phone and abducted Alejandro.

A statewide Amber Alert was issued for Alejandro Thursday night, which ended Friday after his body was discovered.

Alejandro was non-verbal and at one point attended Greater Heights Academy, a West Kendall school for special-needs children, the Herald reported.

After Ripley recanted her story, she reportedly told police that she led the victim to the canal where he drowned, adding that, "he’s going to be in a better place.”

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