Children ages 5 and 3, missing for nearly 48 hours, found safe: "I'm just glad it's a happy ending"
MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee police searched for two missing children, ages five and three for nearly 48 hours. The children were found safe on Monday morning, August 1st.
Delilah and Dalontae Berry
Police said early Monday morning the children, five-year-old Delilah Berry and her brother, three-year-old Dalontae Berry were last seen Saturday, July 30th around 10:00 a.m. near 28th and Kilbourn.
The children were believed to be in the company of their mother's boyfriend -- Emmanuel Stevens.
The children were found safe Monday morning near 37th and Hampton.
Stevens was taken into custody.
"I'm shocked. I'm definitely shocked. I'm happy the little boy was OK," Jonathan Thomas said.
Thomas looked on as Dalontae Berry sat on the hood of a squad car sucking his thumb -- as police comforted him.
Police say the children were taken by Stevens -- their mother's boyfriend.
"It`s a shame because I have two kids of my own and I don`t want that to happen to none of my kids," Thomas said.
Police say Stevens was driving a green Ford Explorer -- his girlfriend's vehicle.
Thomas said he saw the vehicle parked at a gas station near 37th and Hampton since Sunday.
"Just filling up the gas and air and just sitting there. He said he was waiting for the store to open in the morning," Thomas said.
Thomas said he spoke with Stevens, and didn't suspect anything was amiss.
"I didn't think nothing of it because the man was caring for the boy and watching out and feeding the boy. I thought it was his son. That was what he told us," Thomas said.
Dalontae Berry
Police did not believe the children were in any immediate danger when asking for help locating them -- but police were looking for them to be safely returned to their mother.
"When I see missing kids -- it gets me," a neighbor said.
Dalontae Berry
Many looked for the children after learning they were missing. On Monday, they said they're thankful this ordeal ended with the children safe and sound.
"I`m just glad it`s a happy ending," a neighbor said.
Missing kids found
Charges for Stevens are pending. He does have a criminal history here in Wisconsin -- with charges dating back to 2007. That includes charges for disorderly conduct, battery, violating a domestic abuse injunction, criminal damage to property and resisting or obstructing an officer.