FBI joins search for missing 11-month-old in Indiana; parents charged

Police in Indiana issued a Silver Alert for Mercedes Lain, an 11-month-old girl from Plymouth.(Ind.gov/Silver Alert)
Published: Aug. 17, 2021 at 1:26 PM EDT|Updated: Aug. 17, 2021 at 4:15 PM EDT

PLYMOUTH, Ind. (WNDU/Gray News) - The parents of a missing 11-month-old girl in Indiana have been taken into custody, police said Tuesday.

Plymouth Police Chief David Bacon said at a news conference that Kenneth Lain and Tiffany Coburn were being charged with neglect of a dependent.

The FBI is now assisting in the search for Mercedes Lain, WNDU reported.

She is described as a white female, 2 feet tall and 19 pounds with blonde hair with brown eyes. She was last seen at 12:30 a.m. Saturday in Mishawaka, Indiana, wearing a white onesie with pink trim, the FBI Indianapolis office said on Twitter.

Plymouth Police Chief David Bacon said the man she had last been seen with, 37-year-old Justin Miller, is in custody and also charged with neglect of a dependent. Police said Miller is a family friend and was supposed to babysit Mercedes for a few days.

Mercedes was reported missing by her father Sunday night, and a statewide Silver Alert was issued. Miller and his vehicle were found in Starke County at 3:30 a.m. Monday.

Police believe Mercedes could be in the Marshall County area, but there is no sign of where exactly she might be.

“We’re just asking if anybody knows anything or if you have her, please bring her home or take her somewhere where she can be brought home,” said Stacy Milton, Mercedes’ aunt. “Please, we’re asking for your guys’ help.”

She is believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance, according to the Silver Alert. Michiana Crime Stoppers has offered a reward of up to $1,000 for anyone who has information that could lead to finding her.

The FBI Indianapolis office said on Twitter that she had been seen in Marshall County, Starke County and St. Joseph County.

Anyone with information was asked to contact the Plymouth Police Department at 574-936-2126 or call 911.

In Indiana, Silver Alerts are used for missing and endangered children as well as adults.

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