Father Left Territory With 2-Year-Old Daughter Without Mother's Consent, VIPD Says as Case is Classified a Kidnapping

ST. CROIX — The V.I. Police Department said Wednesday afternoon that a release it issued this morning calling for the community's help in locating a 2-year-old child has been reclassified as a Kidnapping.

According to VIPD Public Information Officer Toby Derima, the police department has since learned that the non-custodial father of 2-year-old Cataleya Lehlani Deberry had his daughter over the weekend and left the territory with her.

The police department has since issued a national Amber Alert, turning the matter into a nationwide hunt. Mr. Derima said the department had not provided clearance to identify the father.