Why a Florida couple told relatives their baby 'was a prank'
Family saw the baby once, then she was never seen again
Leon Alejandro Jr. and Samantha Angeline Feliz have been arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter in connection with the death of their infant daughter, after allegedly claiming the child never existed.
Alejandro, 21, and Feliz, 20, both of Hollywood, Florida, were arrested in Richmond County, North Carolina, on Wednesday, July 22, according to a media release from the Richmond County Sheriff's Office (RCSO) and public arrest records.
Baby seen once, then never again
Feliz gave birth to a daughter in Florida sometime between December 6, 2024, and January 5, 2025, per the release. Family members allegedly saw Alejandro and Feliz with the baby — who was born outside a hospital — during her first month of life.
After that, the infant was "never seen again," according to the RCSO. "Both parents denied that the child was theirs, claiming it was a prank," the release states.
Investigation leads to arrest
The Hollywood Police Department opened an investigation into the alleged disappearance in early 2025. Investigators eventually gathered enough evidence to charge both Alejandro and Feliz on five counts, including aggravated manslaughter of a child, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, and providing false information concerning a missing child.
The couple allegedly fled to North Carolina before RCSO investigators located them living on a property belonging to a relative of Alejandro's in Richmond County, where they were arrested.
Couple held without bond
Alejandro and Feliz are being held without bond in the Richmond County jail as they await extradition to Florida, according to the release and public records.
"This is a prime example of agencies nationwide collaborating to uphold justice," Richmond County Sheriff Mark B. Gulledge said in a statement.
