Missing SF Toddlers Found Safe At St. Francis Hospital
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- The San Francisco Police Department reported Wednesday afternoon that the two toddler girls who had gone missing earlier this week have been located safe at St. Francis Hospital.
The Department's Special Victims Unit (SVU) asked for the public's assistance in locating the two toddlers earlier Wednesday afternoon.
The missing toddlers - a 2-1/2 years old and a 14-month-old girl -- were in a side by side stroller and were left in the care of an acquaintance of the children's mother. The toddlers were last seen in the Carl's Junior restaurant near Hallidie Plaza on Monday, March 21, at approximately 2:24 a.m.
A San Francisco Police officer assigned to Mission Station learned from the Family and Children's Emergency Service Office on Otis Street that the office had just received a call from St. Francis Hospital. Hospital staff told Social Services that a woman had just walked into the hospital with the two missing toddlers.
At 3:45PM, Officers from Tenderloin Station responded to St. Francis Hospital where they located the missing toddlers and the acquaintance named "Jacquita" who their mother had left in their care.
The mother of the children, 26-year-old Oakland resident Shanyce Jones, reported the children missing at Tenderloin Station at 10 p.m. the following day. During the initial investigation, police determined that Jones and the children had been at the Burger King restaurant on the 1200 block of Market Street on Monday between noon and 2 p.m.
Jones met Jacquita whom she had known for approximately two months. Jones left the children with Jacquita after making arrangements to meet her at a restaurant in Hallidie Plaza three hours later. Jones was late to the pre-arranged meeting and arranged to meet Jacquita on March 22nd.
When Jones went to the restaurant on March 22nd, Jacquita and the two toddlers were not to be found. During interviews with investigators, Jones made inconsistent statements to police who developed probable cause to arrest Jones. The mother was later booked on child endangerment and possession of controlled substance charges. She remains in custody.
According to police, the toddlers appeared to be in good health and will be medically evaluated. Investigators from the Special Victims Unit will be conducting further investigation. Child Protective Services will also be involved in that investigation.
Police are not considering the case to be an abduction case at this time. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Special Victims Unit at (415) 553-9225, the Anonymous Tip Line at (415) 575-4444 or Text a Tip to, TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD.
