Update: Willie Wilson was found not guilty of murder. Read more here.
Original story:
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (August 29, 2014)– The Amber Alert for a missing 6-week-old baby boy has been cancelled at the request of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD).
“I’m thinking they should be out here searching,” said Delano’s uncle, Romel Perkins, after hearing about cancellation. “He’s out here somewhere.”
The family of Delano Wilson is offering a $10,000 reward as the search for the 6-week-old boy enters its third day. Police were conducting a grid search concentrated on woods in the area where the boy was last seen, and IMPD have set up a command unit nearby.
At least 100 people are involved in the effort to find the little boy, who was reported missing Wednesday. His father, Willie Wilson, claims a man and woman tried to rob him at gunpoint before hitting him and taking off with the baby in a blue Taurus. Wilson says the abduction happened just after noon Wednesday in an alley in the 1400 block of Henry Street, near the family’s home on Chase Street.
Thursday’s search turned up empty. Police said they’ve received numerous tips in the case. The search area will be released, giving the “all clear” to people in the area. It is possible other areas could still be searched.
Over the past three days, missing person detectives believe the Amber Alert message has reached its maximum audience. With the decrease in tips, detectives have requested the cancellation of the Amber Alert.
“It doesn’t diminish the seriousness of what we’re trying to do,” says IMPD Sgt. Kendale Adams. “I think we’ve pretty well saturated the area with the information.”
Detectives feel confident the continued use of the department’s internal messaging, use of its social media links, continued coverage by local media, and information for the public is sufficient and yields the best opportunity to find Delano. Additionally, detectives believe that the Amber Alert has increased awareness surrounding Delano’s alleged abduction.
An Amber Alert is not issued for every missing child. According to in.gov/amberalert, the victim must be under the age of the 18. The child must also be in immediate danger, and there must be a description of the suspect or suspects.
The cancellation of the Amber Alert does has no barring on the active investigation into Delano’s abduction. IMPD will continue to use all necessary resources and techniques to bring Delano back home.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Delano is asked to call 911 or text 888777 keyword “IMPD” with information.
