Police Seek Infant Taken From Austin Hospital

AUSTIN, TX — Police are seeking help from the public in locating an infant taken from the hospital by a relative of the mother who was not authorized to care for the child.

The three-week-old infant, Elijah Phillips, has not been seen since July 24 after being retrieved by the mother's cousin, Brandy Yovonne Galbert, 41. In a press advisory, police said Child Protective Investigations (CPI) received a court order for Elijah to be removed from the mother’s custody and placed into theirs. The child's father was identified as Carl Dennis Hayden Jr., 37.

After checking into a local hospital under a false name, Brittany Sadi Smith, 30, gave birth to Elijah on Friday, July 19, police said. She gave permission for the baby to leave the hospital on Monday, July 22, Galbert. The child has not been seen since, police said, noting neither of the three individuals named are authorized to care for the baby.

Police said the trio listed also have vanished, but may be in the Austin or Killeen area with the baby. "Detectives and CPI are concerned for the child’s safety and well-being," police said. Photos of the child were distributed by police in the hopes someone might recognize him and alert police as to his whereabouts.

The case is being treated as a child custody interference matter, according to police. An officer provided reporters with more amplified information during a Friday press conference at police headquarters:

Anyone with information about baby Elijah’s whereabouts is asked to call 9-1-1 immediately or the North Austin Detectives at 512-974-5484 or call Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS or text "Tip 103" + your message to CRIMES or use the new Crime Stoppers App. Those with information also can submit tips by downloading APD’s mobile app, Austin PD, for free on iPhone and Android.