Amber Alert Developments on September 9, 2025

Lead: Authorities issued multiple AMBER Alerts across the United States on Tuesday after separate child abductions in North Carolina, Tennessee and California resulted in a community-wide search and a tragic discovery.

Nut Graf: Tuesday’s alerts underscore the urgent need for public vigilance in child abduction cases. In Randolph County, North Carolina, a nonverbal 7-year-old boy was tragically found deceased after a three-day search. In Tennessee’s Hancock County, an 8-year-old girl with a medical condition remains missing. Meanwhile, Southern California investigators arrested three family members who snatched a 1-year-old from his mother at knifepoint.

Randolph County, North Carolina: Search Ends in Tragedy

Officers in Asheboro located the body of 7-year-old Liam North in a drained pond on Tuesday afternoon, three days after he wandered off near his home. North, who is nonverbal, had prompted an AMBER Alert on Sunday when he failed to return from a walk. Foul play is not suspected, and his death remains under investigation.

Hancock County, Tennessee: Missing 8-Year-Old Samantha Shelly

On Tuesday evening, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office issued an AMBER Alert for Samantha Shelly, 8, last seen in Sneedville. Shelly has a medical condition that may impair her ability to seek help safely. She is described as 4 ft 2 in tall, 55 lb with brown hair and hazel eyes. Residents are urged to call TBI-FIND at 1-800-822-TBI-FIND with any information.

City of Industry, California: Family Conspiracy Snatches Baby

Southern California law enforcement arrested 20-year-old Dragan Antonescu and his parents in Winslow, Arizona on Tuesday evening after they allegedly abducted Antonescu’s 1-year-old son at knifepoint from a Target store in the City of Industry on Sunday. The trio fled in a gray Toyota Sienna, triggering an AMBER Alert across three counties. The unharmed child was recovered and placed in protective custody. Prosecutors are reviewing kidnapping and assault charges against the suspects.