ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — A 7-month-old infant is back in state custody and her 17-year-old mother is now in police custody, accused of illegally taking the child.
Jessica Schnitzer and her daughter La'Nayah Medina were located this afternoon in Rifle just after 3:30 p.m., according to Englewood Police.
"Jessica is currently in custody on charges stemming from this case and La'Nayah is in the custody of Garfield County Social Services," Englewood Police said in an an update. "La'Nayah is healthy and unharmed."
A third person named in the case, Maree Tibbetts, was located in Denver and is in the custody of Colorado Department of Youth Corrections.
MORE | Read background on the story here.
Englewood Police sent out an alert Sunday after Jessica, along with Maree, allegedly took La’Nayah from a group home Saturday night. Police say the teens did not take proper care items for the infant, including formula and diapers.
Police were also concerned because of Jessica’s state of mind. Police described the 17-year-old as mentally unstable and prone to suicidal thoughts. They said she has not been able to care for La’Nayah in the past.
Jessica and Maree were residents at Third Way Center, an Englewood group home. Although lacking full legal custody, authorities say La’Nayah was allowed to stay with her mother at the center, which is not a locked facility.