Detroit Police Search For Missing Baby Allegedly Taken From Mother By Parole Absconding Father
DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit police are asking the public to help find a missing 6-month-old baby and the 35-year-old man accused of taking her.
Melondy Laira Jones was last seen around 10 p.m. Monday in the 15000 block of Linwood, in a west side neighborhood near Livernois Avenue and the Lodge Freeway.
Police say suspect John Ellerbe Jones, the baby's father, walked away from the home, pushing Melondy in a stroller -- without the permission of the baby's mother, Pateres Renee Rushin.
John Jones, who is wanted on a parole absconder warrant, is described as a black male, 5'10" tall and 220 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, blue jeans and blue Nike shoes.
Police say the baby is not believed to be in danger but given the suspect's criminal history, they'd like to find her as soon as possible. According to the Michigan Department of Corrections, John Jones' criminal history includes charges of vehicular manslaughter, negligent homicide, fleeing police, operating while license suspended causing death, and receiving and concealing stolen property.
Bobbie McCoy, who lives next to the couple, said they seemed normal like every other neighbor.
"She's a good mama, like, she never lets her daughter out of her sight. She always has her daughter and it seems like he loves his daughter, too," McCoy told WWJ's Charlie Langton. "I don't know what's the situation, but with the parole thing and the baby missing, it makes you think who you live next door to."
Joy Collars, who also lives in the neighborhood, said she could tell things were tense between the couple.
"They've been getting into it for like two or three days," she said. "He didn't seem like that type of dude, he really did nothing mean. But you know, sometimes people can be undercover."
Anyone with information is urged to contact police at 313-596-1200.
