A Florida couple, accused of fabricating the existence of their infant child, has been apprehended in North Carolina following a year-long investigation into the baby’s presumed death. Leon Alejandro Jr., 21, and Samantha Feliz, 20, both originally from Hollywood, Florida, were taken into custody in Rockingham, North Carolina. Authorities state the pair had relocated while Hollywood police were actively investigating the disappearance of their infant.
Investigation into Concealed Birth and Disappearance
The arrest of Alejandro and Feliz was carried out by investigators from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service. They were booked into the Richmond County Jail on fugitive of justice warrants and are currently being held without bond, awaiting extradition back to Florida. The investigation commenced in early 2025 when Hollywood police were alerted to the circumstances surrounding Feliz’s pregnancy. According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, the birth is believed to have occurred between December 6, 2024, and January 5, 2025, and was deliberately concealed, taking place outside of a hospital setting.
During the child’s initial month of life, family members reportedly saw the couple with the infant. However, after this period, the child was allegedly never seen again by relatives. An arrest warrant obtained by local media indicates that investigators believe the infant, identified by the initials A.F., was last photographed on January 5, 2025. Detectives noted in the warrant that the child appeared visibly ill and malnourished in the final known image, showing no signs of life.
Allegations of Deception and Fabricated Evidence
The arrest warrant further details that cadaver dogs were utilized in searches of multiple locations, but the child’s remains have not been located. Authorities allege that Alejandro and Feliz consistently denied the baby’s existence. They reportedly told relatives that the pregnancy was a “prank” and later claimed the entire pregnancy was a “hoax” orchestrated to defraud family members of money. This claim is supported by evidence, including photographs showing Feliz visibly pregnant and text messages discussing the pregnancy and the baby.
Investigators reportedly recovered items from a storage unit linked to the couple, including baby clothing, a positive pregnancy test, and towels that appeared to have bloodstains. Subsequent DNA testing confirmed that the blood found on the baby clothing and towels belonged to a biological child of Alejandro and Feliz, according to the warrant. Despite the absence of a birth certificate or official medical records, investigators compiled sufficient evidence to file charges against both suspects.
Charges Filed Against the Couple
The charges levied against Alejandro and Feliz include aggravated manslaughter of a child, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, failure to report a death to the medical examiner, providing false information concerning a missing child, and making false reports to law enforcement. These charges reflect the severity of the alleged actions and the subsequent investigation.
Capture and Inter-Agency Cooperation
Authorities allege that the couple fled Florida and were residing on property owned by a relative of Alejandro in Richmond County at the time of their arrest on July 22. Richmond County Sheriff Mark Gulledge commended the collaborative efforts of the various law enforcement agencies involved in the apprehension. “This is a prime example of agencies nationwide collaborating to uphold justice,” Sheriff Gulledge stated, highlighting the success of the multi-agency operation.
As of the latest reports, authorities have not released further specific details regarding their current understanding of what may have happened to the infant. The investigation remains ongoing, with law enforcement agencies continuing to seek information that could shed light on the child’s fate.
The case underscores the complexities of investigations involving alleged child endangerment and the challenges faced by law enforcement when dealing with potential deception and the disappearance of a vulnerable infant. The focus now shifts to the legal proceedings and the ongoing efforts to uncover the full truth surrounding the infant’s disappearance and presumed death.
