TAVARES, Fla. – A 5-year-old boy at the center of an AMBER Alert in Tavares, Florida, was found safe early Monday morning, prompting the arrest of several family members. Kelly Day-Dasilva, the boy’s grandmother, was charged with kidnapping and interference with child custody after she allegedly took him from his home on Sunday.
The Tavares Police Department confirmed that the boy, identified as Jace Saunders, was located at the Lady Lake Police Department, where Day-Dasilva arrived with him on Monday morning. Jace was reported to be in good health and was later placed in the custody of the Department of Children and Families (DCF).
The events leading to the abduction began on Sunday when DCF officials visited the Saunders’ home in Tavares to remove Jace as part of an ongoing investigation. However, the child was not at the residence. Police learned that Jace had been with family friend Mitchell Morris on a golf cart ride. Morris later admitted to handing over Jace to Day-Dasilva at a local park, preventing his transfer to DCF.
Further complicating the situation, Jace’s parents, Taylor Judy and Brandon Saunders, were reportedly hostile and refused to cooperate with authorities. All three – Day-Dasilva, Morris, and the boy’s parents – were arrested for interference with child custody. Saunders also faces an additional charge of resisting without violence after refusing to assist law enforcement.
Authorities stated that there has been a long history of domestic issues involving the family, as documented by DCF.
The investigation is ongoing, and the boy is currently safe under the care of state authorities.